Comparison of the effect of semi-rigid ankle bracing on performance among injured v. non-injured adolescent female hockey players

Authors

  • Terry Jeremy Ellapen Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
  • N Acampora Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
  • S Dawson Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
  • J Arling Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
  • C van Niekerk Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
  • H J van Heerden Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/sajsm.517

Keywords:

Epidemiology, Hockey, Proprioception, Ankle, Bracing

Abstract

Objective. To determine the comparative proprioceptive performance of injured v. non-injured adolescent female hockey players wearing an ankle brace.

Methods. Data were collected from 100 high school players who belonged to the Highway Secondary School Hockey League, KwaZulu-Natal, via voluntary parental informed consent and player assent. Players completed an injury questionnaire probing the prevalence and nature of hockey injuries (March - August 2013). Subsequently, players completed a Biodex proprioceptive test with and without an ankle brace. Probability was set at p≤0.05.

Results. Twenty-two players sustained ankle injuries within the 6-month study period (p<0.001). Injured players performed similarly without bracing (right anterior posterior index (RAPI) 2.8 (standard deviation (SD) 0.9); right medial lateral index (RMLI) 1.9 (0.7); left anterior posterior index (LAPI) 2.7 (0.9); left medial lateral index (LMLI) 1.7 (0.6)) compared with bracing (RAPI 2.7 (1.4); RMLI 1.8 (0.6); LAPI 2.6 (1.0); LMLI 1.5 (0.6)) (p>0.05). However, bracing improved the ankle stability of the non-injured group (RAPI 2.2 (0.8); RMLI 1.5 (0.5); LAPI 2.4 (0.9); RMLI 1.5 (0.5)) compared with their performance without a brace (RAPI 2.5 (1.0); RMLI 1.8 (0.8); LAPI 2.8 (1.1); LMLI 1.8 (0.6)) (p<0.05).

Conclusion. Ankle bracing did not enhance the stability of injured ankles. However, ankle bracing has an ergogenic effect that enhances the stability of healthy ankles.

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Author Biographies

  • Terry Jeremy Ellapen, Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
    PhD
  • N Acampora, Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
    BSps Hons (Biokinetics)
  • S Dawson, Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
    BSps Hons (Biokinetics)
  • J Arling, Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
    BSps Hons (Biokinetics)
  • C van Niekerk, Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
    BSps Hons (Biokinetics)
  • H J van Heerden, Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, South Africa
    D Phil

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Published

2014-10-15

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2014 South African Journal of Sports Medicine

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The South African Journal of Sports Medicine reserves copyright of the material published. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License. Material submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Sports Medicine is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The South African Journal of Sports Medicine does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.

How to Cite

Ellapen, T. J., Acampora, N., Dawson, S., Arling, J., van Niekerk, C., & van Heerden, H. J. (2014). Comparison of the effect of semi-rigid ankle bracing on performance among injured v. non-injured adolescent female hockey players. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(3), 73-76. https://doi.org/10.7196/sajsm.517
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