Changes in the muscle reaction time of ankle periarticular muscles by balance training

抄録

Ankle inversion sprains are the most common football-related injuries. About 74% of patients with residual symptoms such as general ankle instability, the ankle suddenly giving way, or recurrent ankle sprains, may develop chronic ankle instability. Balance training is a common rehabilitation procedure used after an ankle sprain. However, the influence of balance training on the muscle reaction time and muscle chain reaction is still unclear. Accordingly, this study examines how balance training influences muscle reaction time and muscle chain reaction. This controlled laboratory study involved 33 male college football players assessed for existence/non-existence of ankle functional instability (FI). The subjects were then divided into a group of 12 players with FI who underwent balance training (FI group), 12 players without FI who underwent balance training (Con group), and 9 players without FI who did not undergo balance training (NTr group). Muscle reaction times during ankle varus simulation with Trap-door were measured. The main effect was seen between the peroneus muscle group and anterior tibialis muscle in the Con and NTr groups. In the FI group, no significant main effect on the muscle was seen, but the main effect on intervention period was significant. Balance training reduced the muscle reaction time of the FI group. Results suggest that balance training may improve muscle reaction time. However, the absence of a significant difference between the peroneus muscle group and anterior tibialis muscle in the FI group after balance training indicates that the muscle chain reaction did not recover to the level of an uninjured leg.