IS BALANCE IMPAIRED BY RECURRENT SPRAINED ANKLE

Objective-To evaluate uninjured and recurrent sprained ankles during s ingle leg standing, both with and without visual input, and the contri bution of related proprioceptive feedback in this event. Methods-A for ce measuring system was used for monitoring reaction forces in the ant eroposterior and mediolateral directions during single leg standing. D ifferences between selected variables obtained in the uninjured and sp rained ankles were analysed using two way analysis of variance. Result s-Foot-ground reaction forces in both anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were the same in normal and sprained ankles of each subjec t while standing with either open or closed eyes. However, standing wi th closed eyes, irrespective of the ankle status, always produced sign ificantly higher reaction forces than those obtained with open eyes (P < 0.05). Conclusions-The amount of postural sway during single leg st anding is similar in the chronically sprained and the uninjured ankle joint.