Neuromuscular Training vs Strength Training

Chronic ankle instability is a complex condition. Limited mobility, perceived instability, and recurrent ankle sprains are common characteristics that reduce the quality of life in subjects who suffer chronic ankle instability. Neuromuscular training and strength training has been recommended in chronic ankle instability management interventions. However, there are contradictory findings on results when comparing neuromuscular training, strength training, and control group.

Participants were randomly assigned to the neuromuscular training group, strength training group, and control group with no intervention if participants met the inclusion criteria. Neuromuscular training group. It consisted of a multi-station training with 6 exercises, increasing the difficulty progressively as the participants controlled the execution. The exercises were all performed barefoot and with the injured foot. These were a combination of standing and jumping exercises involving the injured ankle. A strength training group was performed with resistance bands. The band was fastened to the unaffected ankle, while the participant was told to perform front and back pulls, as well as adduction and abduction movements with the affected ankle. Participants were told to control the ankle movement and to make it slow. Control group received no intervention.

An independent assessor blinded to the data collection was responsible for the allocation process. A list of the computer-generated number was employed to assign participants to experimental or control group

Strength training was performed with resistance bands. The band was fastened to the unaffected ankle, while the participant was told to perform front and back pulls, as well as adduction and abduction movements with the affected ankle. They were told to control the ankle movement and to make it slow. Since the first day, they were told to perform the exercise pulling the band as if they wanted to make the resistance of 5 on a scale from 0 to 10.

consisted in a multi-station training with 6 exercises, increasing the difficulty progressively as the participants controlled the execution. The exercises were all performed barefoot and with the injured foot. These were a combination of standing and jumping exercises involving the injured ankle. The participants did not start the next progression until they perform a complete circuit in the level before.

To determine the presence and severity of chronic ankle instability, participants completed the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool, a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the severity of ankle instability. The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool is a 9-item subjective questionnaire with a range score from 0 (severe instability) to 30 (normal stability)

Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was assessed by the weight-bearing lunge test. The patient is positioned in a standing position facing a wall with the involved foot parallel with a tape measure which has been attached to the floor and the opposite leg placed behind in a tandem stance. A forward lunge is performed until the anterior knee tries to make contact with the wall with the heel firmly planted on the ground.

Dynamic balance has been measured by a simplified version of the Star Excursion Balance Test where the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral reach directions were collected for statistical analysis.

Function in daily living and sport activities were assessed by the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. This questionnaire Is divided by two subscales of 21 items (daily living subscale) and 8 items (sports subscale). The obtained score is expressed as a percentage calculated by dividing the patient's score by max score and the lower percentage is related to the lower level of function.

Inclusion criteria were consistent with recommendations made from International Ankle Consortium16 and were checked before the intervention: To have suffered the first sprain at least 6 months before the beginning of the study. Cumberland ankle instability score ≤24. To be physically active. Exclusion criteria. Participants could not have suffered an acute sprain in the 6 previous weeks to the beginning of the study. History of recent ankle surgery. Epilepsy or previous seizures.

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Ahern L, Nicholson O, O'Sullivan D, McVeigh JG. Effect of Functional Rehabilitation on Performance of the Star Excursion Balance Test Among Recreational Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl. 2021 May 21;3(3):100133. doi: 10.1016/j.arrct.2021.100133. eCollection 2021 Sep.