Ankle Strengthening in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

NCT06801483 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: CMUH112-REC1-116(AR1)NSTC 113-2410-H-039-015 -
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common complication following an ankle sprain, affecting joint stability and leading to decreased muscle strength and poor neuromuscular control. These symptoms can significantly impact athletes' sports performance. Rehabilitation training for CAI majorly involves strengthening or balance training. Few studies have discussed treatment plans that combine the above two training, and the effectiveness of combined training is similar to that of single training content. Due to the lack of machines to train ankle strength, thera-bands were often used for ankle strengthening. However, the resistance thera-bands provide is limited and may need more for athletes requiring high-intensity training. In recent years, a local company has developed a multiaxial ankle training system for machine-based ankle strengthening. This machine allows for training the ankle joint in various directions while sitting and can provide greater training resistance. As this machine has recently been developed and there is seldom evidence for its use in training, this project aims to discuss the effectiveness of using the ankle training machine in athletes with chronic ankle instability. This study will compare the differences in muscle strength, morphology, muscle material properties, balance ability, and functional performance of athletes after a six-week combined training program with thera-band or the multiaxial ankle training system for providing resistance. Thereby establishing a training plan for athletes suffering from chronic ankle instability.

Conditions

Chronic Ankle Instability, CAI; Athletes

Keywords

progressive training; strengthening; balance training; chronic ankle instability; ankle training machine

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Muscle Morphology

  Using ultrasound to measure the muscle morphology of the peronous longus, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior.

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

• Y-Balance Test

  This test is divided into three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Each direction has a commercial measuring tape attached at 135 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees, respectively. The subject stands in the middle of the three measuring tapes, with the test foot's toe placed at the intersection point. The subject then stands on one leg with the test foot, extends the non-weight-bearing foot to touch the measuring tape in the target direction without touching the ground, and returns to the starting position while maintaining balance.

  At enrollment (1st week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

• Countermovement Jump

  Before the test, wireless EMG sensors are attached to the tibialis anterior, The test is performed on a force plate. The subject stands on the force plate, bends both knees to 90 degrees, and jumps as high as possible.

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

• Triple Hop Test

  The subject stands with both feet at the starting point in front of the force plate, then stands on one foot and performs three consecutive forward hops, with the first hop landing on the force plate.

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Ankle muscle strength

  At enrollment (1st. week) and the end of intervention at 6 weeks

• Muscle tension

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

• Muscle stiffness

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

• Muscle elasticity

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

• Muscle stress relaxation time

  At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

multiaxial ankle training system

EXPERIMENTAL

These subjects will train their ankle strength by the multiaxial ankle training system

Other: Strengthening

thera-band

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

These subjects will train their ankle strength by thera-band

Other: Strengthening

Interventions

Strengthening OTHER

All subjects will recieve an ankle muscle strenghening training program twice a week for six weeks.

multiaxial ankle training system; thera-band

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 28 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Unilateral CAI: Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score ≤ 24
• Age between 18 and 28 years
• Engages in sports training at least 3 days a week, for more than 1 hour each session
• Able to perform training and assessment movements

You may not qualify if:

• Bilateral CAI
• Less than 6 months since the first ankle sprain
• Acute ankle sprain within the last 6 weeks
• Foot or ankle surgery within the last 3 months
• Neuromuscular diseases.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• China Medical University Hospital: lead
• National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

China Medical University

Taichung, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Resistance Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Chia-Ming Chang, Ph.D.

  China Medical University, China

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 21, 2025
• First Posted: January 30, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 20, 2024
• Study Completion: January 31, 2026
• Last Updated: March 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)