POSTURAL CORRECTIONS AFTER STANDARDIZED PERTURBATIONS OF SINGLE LIMB STANCE - EFFECT OF TRAINING AND ORTHOTIC DEVICES IN PATIENTS WITH ANKLE INSTABILITY

Objective-Soccer players with functional instability of the ankle join t have shown impairment of postural control in single limb stance. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of stance perturbation. M ethods-A standardised method for the study of postural corrections aft er perturbation (Equitest) was used. Female soccer players with and wi thout functional instability were examined. Results-The subjects showe d a relative change from ankle to hip synergy at medially directed tra nslations of the support surface. This impairment was restored after e ight weeks of ankle disk training. The effect of a shoe and brace did not exceed the effect of the shoe alone. Conclusions-Functional instab ility seems to be related to impaired ability to retain equilibrium in single limb stance by means of ankle corrections. A positive effect o f ankle disk training leading to functional restoration was confirmed.