Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
ISSN: 1303 - 2968   
Ios-APP Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
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©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2016) 15, 352 - 357

Research article
Effect of Semi-Rigid and Soft Ankle Braces on Static and Dynamic Postural Stability in Young Male Adults
Noriaki Maeda1, , Yukio Urabe1, Shogo Tsutsumi1, Shuhei Numano1, Miho Morita1, Takuya Takeuchi1, Shou Iwata1, Toshiki Kobayashi2
Author Information
1 Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
2 Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Hokkaido, Japan

Noriaki Maeda
✉ Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Graduate of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
Email: norimmi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Publish Date
Received: 13-11-2015
Accepted: 25-04-2016
Published (online): 23-05-2016
 
 
ABSTRACT

Ankle braces have been suggested to protect ankle joints from a sprain by restricting inversion and improving proprioception. However, the difference in effects between a semi-rigid brace and a soft brace regarding dynamic postural control after landing is not known. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of soft (SB) and semi-rigid (SRB) ankle braces on static and dynamic postural stability in healthy young men. Altogether, 21 male adults (mean age 24.0 ± 1.5 years) were assessed for one leg while wearing non-brace (NB), SB or SRB. Balance in single-limb stance on a single-force platform with open eyes and closed eyes were assessed for the non-dominant leg under SB, SRB, and NB conditions. Locus length/second (mm/s) and the enveloped area (mm·s-2) surrounded by the circumference of the wave pattern during postural sway were calculated. For assessing dynamic postural stability, the participant jumped and landed on one leg on a force platform, and the Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI) and the maximum vertical ground reaction force (vGRFmax) were measured. The data were compared among the three conditions with repeated-measures analysis of variance. The correlations between locus length/second, enveloped area, DPSI values (DPSI, Anterior-Posterior Stability Index, Medial-Lateral Stability Index, and Vertical Stability Index), and vGRFmax were then calculated. The results indicated that locus length/second and enveloped area with open eyes and closed eyes were not significantly different for each condition. However, a significant lower in the DPSI and Vertical Stability Index were observed with the SRB in comparison to the SB and NB. A significant improvement in vGRFmax was also observed with the SRB in comparison to NB. SRB demonstrated a positive effect on dynamic postural stability after landing on a single leg and may improve balance by increasing dynamic postural stability.

Key words: Ankle brace, static postural balance, dynamic postural balance, Dynamic Postural Stability Index


           Key Points
  • This study examined the effect of ankle braces on healthy young individuals during dynamic postural stability using the DPSI.
  • The semi-rigid brace improved dynamic postural stability compared with the soft brace and no brace.
 
 
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