Effect of Fastened Ankle Multidirectional Jumping Exercise Program on Jumping Performance among Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction: Chronic ankle instability leads to alterations of ankle joint function, especially during jumping and running leading to diminished athletic performance. Multidirectional jumping exercise program with fastened ankle are required to be explored to overcome the challenges faced by the clinicians for management of ankle injuries, as well as, early return of athletes to sports.

Aim: To find out the effect of fastened ankle multidirectional jumping exercise program on jumping performance among athletes with chronic ankle instability.

Materials and Methods: This single-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted at Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India in June 2022, and included 30 athletes with ≥6 months of Grade I and II ankle sprain, with instability and history of two or more episodes of injury. All subjects were distributed into three groups of 10 each. Pain and ankle disability were assessed using Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), vertical jump test and Foot and Ankle Disability Index tool (FADI-sports module). Therefore, recorded at baseline, 3rd week, and 5th week of intervention. Group 1 received ankle active range of motion exercises, while Group 2 received multidirectional jumping exercises, and Group 3 received multidirectional jumping exercise program with fastened ankle. Before exercise the involved ankle was taped with rigid tape. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for between group analysis and ANOVA using repeated measure were used for within group analysis.

Results: There was improvement in experimental group (group 2 and 3) from baseline to 5th week. Group 3 showed significant improvement in pain (NPRS) with mean difference of 5.4 from baseline to 5th week, Vertical jump height (vertical jump test) with mean difference of 24.7 from baseline to 5th week, ankle disability (FADI-sports module) with mean difference of 42.80 from baseline to 5th week with p<0.001. whereas group 2 showed improvement in pain with mean difference of 5.2 from baseline to 5th week, vertical jump height with mean difference of 18.5 and ankle disability with mean difference of 44.9 from baseline to 5th week with p<0.001.

Conclusion: The study concluded that, five weeks of fastened ankle multidirectional exercise program improved the jumping performance, among athletes with chronic ankle instability.