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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06801483

Ankle Strengthening in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common complication following an ankle sprain, affecting joint stability and leading to decreased muscle strength and poor neuromuscular control. These symptoms can significantly impact athletes' sports performance. Rehabilitation training for CAI majorly involves strengthening or balance training. Few studies have discussed treatment plans that combine the above two training, and the effectiveness of combined training is similar to that of single training content. Due to the lack of machines to train ankle strength, thera-bands were often used for ankle strengthening. However, the resistance thera-bands provide is limited and may need more for athletes requiring high-intensity training. In recent years, a local company has developed a multiaxial ankle training system for machine-based ankle strengthening. This machine allows for training the ankle joint in various directions while sitting and can provide greater training resistance. As this machine has recently been developed and there is seldom evidence for its use in training, this project aims to discuss the effectiveness of using the ankle training machine in athletes with chronic ankle instability. This study will compare the differences in muscle strength, morphology, muscle material properties, balance ability, and functional performance of athletes after a six-week combined training program with thera-band or the multiaxial ankle training system for providing resistance. Thereby establishing a training plan for athletes suffering from chronic ankle instability.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Ankle Instability, CAI Athletes

Age range

18 year–28 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

China Medical University

Taichung, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Unilateral CAI: Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score ≤ 24
  • Age between 18 and 28 years
  • Engages in sports training at least 3 days a week, for more than 1 hour each session
  • Able to perform training and assessment movements

Exclusion criteria

  • Bilateral CAI
  • Less than 6 months since the first ankle sprain
  • Acute ankle sprain within the last 6 weeks
  • Foot or ankle surgery within the last 3 months
  • Neuromuscular diseases.

Treatment and study plan

Strengthening

Other

All subjects will recieve an ankle muscle strenghening training program twice a week for six weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle Morphology

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    Using ultrasound to measure the muscle morphology of the peronous longus, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior.

  2. Y-Balance Test

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    This test is divided into three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Each direction has a commercial measuring tape attached at 135 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees, respectively. The subject stands in the middle of the three measuring tapes, with the test foot's toe placed at the intersection point. The subject then stands on one leg with the test foot, extends the non-weight-bearing foot to touch the measuring tape in the target direction without touching the ground, and returns to the starting position while maintaining balance.

  3. Countermovement Jump

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    Before the test, wireless EMG sensors are attached to the tibialis anterior, The test is performed on a force plate. The subject stands on the force plate, bends both knees to 90 degrees, and jumps as high as possible.

  4. Triple Hop Test

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The subject stands with both feet at the starting point in front of the force plate, then stands on one foot and performs three consecutive forward hops, with the first hop landing on the force plate.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Ankle muscle strength

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week) and the end of intervention at 6 weeks

    Measuring muscle strength of dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion by hand-hold dynamometer.

  2. Muscle tension

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The maximum values for muscle tension of tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and peroneus longus muscles are evaluated by the MyotonPRO.

  3. Muscle stiffness

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The maximum values for muscle stiffness of tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and peroneus longus muscles are evaluated by the MyotonPRO.

  4. Muscle elasticity

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The maximum values for muscle elasticity of tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and peroneus longus muscles are evaluated by the MyotonPRO.

  5. Muscle stress relaxation time

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The maximum values for muscle stress relaxation time of tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and peroneus longus muscles are evaluated by the MyotonPRO.

  6. Muscle creep

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The maximum values for muscle creep of tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, and peroneus longus muscles are evaluated by the MyotonPRO.

  7. Eyes Open/Eyes Closed Single-Leg Stance Test

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    This test includes static single-leg stance with eyes open/closed on stable/unstable surfaces, using a force plate to record the center of pressure changes during the test. The starting posture is single-leg stance with hands on hips and the non-test foot lightly touching the inner ankle of the weight-bearing foot. The subject maintains stable standing for 30 seconds. If instability occurs, hands and feet can leave the body to maintain balance, but the test foot must not move. If the other foot touches the ground, the test is considered a failure. For the unstable surface test, a soft pad is placed on the force plate, and the subject stands on the pad.

  8. Muscle activation during countermovement Jump

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week), midterm of training (3rd. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The wireless EMG sensors are attached to the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles to capture muscle activation during the activity.

  9. Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)

    Time frame: At enrollment (1st. week) and the end of training at 6 weeks

    The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) is a self-reported functional assessment for the ankle joint, divided into two domains: Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-ADL) and Sports (FAAM-Sports), with 21 and 8 items, respectively. Subjects rate the difficulty of performing each activity based on their perception, with 4 points for no difficulty and 0 points for unable to perform.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

China Medical University Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Multiaxial Ankle Strengthening Training in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 30, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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