Comparative Effects of Neuromuscular Training and Mobilization With Movement in Professional Athletes With Ankle Sprain

The comparative study on the effects of neuromuscular training and mobilization with movement on pain, range of motion, function, and disability in professional athletes with ankle sprain is designed to address the efficacy of these two interventions in managing ankle injuries among athletes. An ankle sprain is a common injury in sports, often resulting in pain, limited range of motion, functional impairment, and disability. Therefore, identifying the most effective treatment approaches is essential for promoting athletes' recovery and minimizing the impact of ankle sprains on their performance.

Neuromuscular training is a structured exercise program aimed at improving neuromuscular control, proprioception, balance, and strength around the ankle joint. It typically involves exercises targeting the muscles and ligaments involved in ankle stability, such as balance training, proprioceptive exercises, strength training, and functional rehabilitation exercises. The goal of neuromuscular training is to enhance joint stability, reduce the risk of re-injury, and improve functional outcomes in athletes with ankle sprains.

On the other hand, mobilization with movement is a manual therapy technique used to restore joint mobility and function through specific movements or mobilizations. This approach involves applying controlled and graded movements to the affected ankle joint while simultaneously mobilizing the surrounding soft tissues. Mobilization with movement aims to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and restore normal movement patterns by addressing restrictions in joint mobility, muscle tightness, and soft tissue adhesions.

The comparative study will involve professional athletes who have sustained ankle sprains during sports participation. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the neuromuscular training group or the mobilization with movement group. Both groups will undergo a structured intervention program tailored to their respective treatment approach.

The neuromuscular training program will consist of a series of progressive exercises targeting ankle stability, balance, strength, and proprioception. These exercises may include single-leg balance exercises, resistance training using bands or weights, agility drills, plyometric exercises, and functional activities relevant to the athlete's sport.

Meanwhile, the mobilization with movement intervention will involve manual therapy techniques administered by a qualified physiotherapist or sports therapist. These techniques may include joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilizations, and specific movement patterns designed to restore normal joint mechanics and improve ankle function.

Outcome measures will include pain levels, range of motion (assessed using goniometry), functional status (evaluated using standardized outcome measures such as the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure), and disability scores (measured using validated scales such as the Disability Rating Index). These measures will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up time points to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention in improving ankle sprain outcomes.

The study's findings will provide valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of neuromuscular training and mobilization with movement in professional athletes with ankle sprains. By identifying the most beneficial treatment approach, the study aims to optimize rehabilitation strategies for ankle injuries in athletes, ultimately supporting their return to sport and minimizing the risk of re-injury.

Inclusion criteria

• • Athletes will be included:

• Rackets player,
• Basketball players
• Runners
• Foot-ballers players
• Soccer players,
• and Volley-ball players
• Gender: both male and female
• Age: 18 to 35 years old
• Training: 15-20/ week
• Sustained an ankle sprain grade II and III
• With no Functional Ankle Instability (Greek version of the Identification functional ankle instability questionnaire IdFAI, score < 10) will be used in order to identify athletes with FAI

Exclusion criteria

• • Any vestibular or balance disorders (1)

• History of surgery and trauma of a lower limb since last 6 months
• Athletes with pain related to calf muscles and achillies tendon
• Co-morbidities: Diabetes, Hypertension, etc