Decreased dynamic balance and dorsiflexion range of motion in young and middle-aged adults with chronic ankle instability

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare dynamic balance and weight-bearing dorsiflexion range of motion between young and middle-aged adults with and without chronic ankle instability. Design Cross-sectional. Methods One hundred and two young adults were classified as either having chronic ankle instability (n = 38), coper (n = 27) or a healthy-control (n = 37). A total of 55 middle-aged adults were identified as having chronic ankle instability (n = 16), coper (n = 15) or a healthy-control (n = 24). Participants completed the weight-bearing lunge test and the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral reach directions of the star excursion balance test. Results Middle-aged adults had shorter reach distances for each direction of the star excursion balance test compared to the young adults (p   0.05). Conclusions Deficits in dynamic postural control do not continue to decline with advancing age in individuals with chronic ankle instability, however, these impairments appear to continue to persist compared to uninjured controls.