There is a difference in functional ankle stability between different types of footwear in male athletes: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Context Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are among the most common injuries in sports, with a poor long – term prognosis due to high chronicity and recurrence rates. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) results up to 40% of people that endured a first – time LAS. Objective The aim of this study was to compare ankle stability between groups characterised by the use of different types of footwear during their sport activities. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Firm training surface, local sport clubs. Participants Fifty - one male subjects were recruited, distributed in four groups based on the type of footwear they use during their sport activities. Main outcome measures All subjects performed four clinical ankle stability tests, and completed the Dutch version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and Profile of Mood States (POMS). All clinical ankle stability tests were performed barefoot. Results Subjects performing their sport activities barefoot scored better than subjects performing their sport with shoes at the multiple hop test (p = .002 to .047) and executed the figure–of–8 hop test significantly faster than subjects with submalleolar ankle support (AS) (p = .019). Subjects with submalleolar AS and studs showed significantly better results than subjects with supramalleolar AS on the CAIT– score (p = .024, p = .030) and the side– hop test (p = .050, p = .045). They also scored significantly better than subjects with submalleolar AS for the side – hop test (p = .032), foot – lift test (p = .019) and figure–of 8 hop test (p = .011). Conclusion Barefoot sports performing subjects appear to have better ankle stability compared to subjects performing their sports with shoe support. Subjects performing sports with high AS appear to have worst ankle stability. Level of evidence : Level III, Cross–sectional study.