Test Predicts Risk for an Ankle Sprain During Sports

This simple test can help predict your risk for an ankle sprain

By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide
Updated April 06, 2010

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries for athletes who play field or court sports. In fact, according to one of the largest descriptive epidemiological studies of ankle sprain in the United States, the majority of sports ankle sprains occur during basketball, with football, soccer and running following far behind.

If you play basketball, you might be interested in a simple test to predict your risk of an ankle sprain. Researchers found that a simple, inexpensive screening tool can predict which athletes may be more likely to have an ankle injury and developed a simple training routine to help reduce that risk.

The study found that athletes who were unable to complete a simple single-leg balance exercise were two-and-a-half times more likely to have an ankle sprain during the subsequent season than those who could complete the test.

In this study, 230 college and high school athletes who participated in football, soccer and volleyball were screened during their sports physicals using the Single-leg balance test.

The Single-Leg Balance Test

The single-leg balance test required that the athletes close their eyes for ten seconds while standing barefoot on one foot, keeping the other knee bent and not touching the weight-bearing leg.

The test was considered "positive" if the athlete was unable to perform the test on either one or both legs.

The participants were followed through the sports season to record any incidence of ankle sprains during sports participation. Over a 14-week season, these 230 athletes reported 28 ankle sprains. The study results indicated that athletes with a positive single-leg balance test result were significantly more likely to be among those reporting an ankle sprain.

The researchers concluded that although the single-leg balance test served as a predictor of ankle injury, the exact mechanism responsible for this increased risk of injury remains unknown.

Ankle Sprains Prevention and Treatment Strategies

If you play field or court sports and don't score well on the single-leg balance test, it would be a good idea to take additional preventive measures to reduce your risk of an ankle injury. Learn what causes a sprain, how to avoid one, and how you can recover faster if you do sprain your ankle.

* Diagnose and Treat Ankle Sprains
Do you know what to do if you sprain your ankle?
* Ankle Sprain Rehab Exercises
If you suffer a sprain, this program can help you heal faster.
* Prevent Ankle Sprains
This simple exercise helps reduce the risk of ankle sprain.