• Both ankle orthoses and exercises help to prevent ankle injuries [1,2]

• Orthoses/braces do not limit sports performance or have any detrimental effects on muscle activity [3,4,5]

• However, exercises may enhance muscle reflexes [6]

• Therefore, the combination of exercises and orthoses is potentially very beneficial in injury prevention during sports (there have been no studies to determine whether there is an additive effect when the 2 are combined)

• Exercise is recommended to prevent non-sports related injuries. Example: everyday walking.....this could be beneficial as we age [7, 8]

References

1. Handoll HHG, Rowe BH, Quinn KM, de Bie R. Interventions for preventing ankle ligament injuries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 3

2. van der Wees PJ, Lenssen AF, Hendriks EJM, Stomp DJ, Dekker J and de Bie RA. Effectiveness of exercise therapy and manual mobilisation in acute ankle sprain and functional instability: A systematic review. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 2006 52: 27-37

3. Stanek JM ; McLoda TA ; McCaw S ; Laudner K The effects of external support on electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus muscle . Electromyography And Clinical Neurophysiology 2006; 46 (6), 349-54

4. Cordova ML ; Scott BD ; Ingersoll CD ; LeBlanc MJ Effects of ankle support on lower-extremity functional performance: a meta-analysis Medicine And Science In Sports And Exercise 2005; 37 (4), 635-41.

5. Gudibanda A Effect of the ankle stabilizing orthosis on foot and ankle kinematics during cutting maneuvers. Research In Sports Medicine 2005; 13 (2), 111-26

6. Linford CW; Hopkins JT ; Schulthies SS ; Freland B ; Draper DO ; Hunter I Effects of neuromuscular training on the reaction time and electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus muscle. Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation 2006; 87 (3), 395-401

7. Westlake KP, Wu Y, Culham EG Sensory-specific balance trainingin older adults: effect on position,movement, and velocity sense at the ankle. Phys Ther 2007; 87, 560-S68.]

8. Ochala J Effect of strength training on musculotendinous stiffness in elderly individuals. European Journal Of Applied Physiology 2005; 94 (1-2), 126-33

Trung Ngo, BSc DC

Clinical Sciences Resident

Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College