Effect of Coordination Training on Proprioception of the Functionally Unstable Ankle

TLDR

Literature recommends proprioceptive and coordination exercises for functionally unstable ankles, yet evidence for their effectiveness on proprioception and balance is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a six‑week coordination and balance training program on proprioception in individuals with functional ankle instability. Forty‑five participants were randomly assigned to control, sham, or experimental groups; the experimental group performed 10‑minute balance and proprioception exercises three times per week, and postural sway and joint position sense were measured. The experimental group showed significantly better post‑test postural sway scores than control and sham groups, but no differences were found in joint position sense or sway index, indicating that balance and coordination training improves some postural sway measures while joint position sense remains unchanged.

Abstract

Exercises to improve joint proprioception and coordination of the functionally unstable ankle are advocated throughout the literature, yet there is little evidence that these exercises have any effect on proprioception and balance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week coordination and balance training program on proprioception of subjects with functional ankle instability. Forty-five subjects (age = 22.53 ± 3.95 years, height = 172.04 ± 10.0 cm, weight = 71.72 ± 15.7 kg) were randomly placed into a control (Group 1), sham (Group 2), or experimental (Group 3) group. The experimental group trained 3 days per week, 10 minutes each day, performing various balance and proprioception exercises. Postural sway and active and passive joint position sense were assessed. Analysis of variance for postural sway modified equilibrium score for anterior and posterior sway, as well as medial and lateral sway revealed significant four-way interactions. Tukey post hoc analyses revealed that Group 3 performed significantly better (p < .05) than Group 1 and Group 2 on the posttests. There were no significant differences for joint position sense or postural sway index. Results suggest that balance and coordination training can improve some measures of postural sway. It is still unclear if joint position sense can be improved in the functionally unstable ankle.