EFFECTS OF LACE-UP AND SEMI-RIGID ANKLE BRACES ON POSTURAL CONTROL

Publication Date

4-5-2019

Document Type

Poster

Degree Type

Undergraduate

Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Mentor

Adam Jagodinsky

Mentor Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ankle bracing is used commonly as an ankle injury prophylactic and has shown to be effective at reducing the incidence of ankle injury in athletic populations. However, studies have shown that ankle bracing can effect measures of balance and postural control during static single and double-leg standing tasks. Yet few studies have reported the effects of various styles of ankle braces on measures of postural control. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of lace-up and semi-rigid bracing on postural control during a standing task. METHODS: Thirty-five adults between the ages of 18-30yrs (height: 1.72 ± 0.1m; mass: 75.49 ± 18kg) participated in the study. Participants performed a single trial of dual-stance quiet standing lasting one minute during each of the following conditions: No brace (C), lace-up brace (LB), and semi-rigid brace (SRB). Trials were performed with the participant standing on a force platform collecting at 1000Hz. To assess postural control, mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) center of pressure deviations were calculated from force platform measurements. Two repeated-measures ANOVAs were employed to assess differences in the COP deviations across conditions. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a significant main effect for COP deviation in the A/P direction (F = 6.19; p < .01). Pairwise comparisons indicated that AP COP deviations were significantly lower in the SRB condition compared to C (p = .01) and LB (p = .01) conditions. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study indicate that subjects exhibited an adaptive postural control strategy when a semi-rigid brace is applied. Reductions in COP deviations may be associated with altered sensorimotor function.

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