Kinetic Effects of 6 Weeks’ Pilates or Balance Training in College Soccer Players with Chronic Ankle Instability

Abstract

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is a common sports injury that frequently occurs in active individuals. LAS is characterized by a high recurrence rate, with a large proportion of patients progressing to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Pilates exercises have provided positive results in health care and in rehabilitation. This study compared Pilates training (PT) with traditional balance training (BT) in patients with CAI. Fifty-one college football players with CAI, divided into PT (n = 26) and BT (n = 25) groups, were included in the study. The groups performed PT or BT training as assigned, three times per week for 6 weeks. Isokinetic ankle strength, one-leg hop tests, Y-balance test (YBT), and foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) were evaluated before and after training. There were considerable improvements in both the PT and BT groups after training. Group and time comparisons revealed that the PT group achieved better triple hop test results than the BT group, whereas the BT group exhibited a greater improvement in YBT posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances. In athletes with CAI, both PT and BT effectively improved symptoms and function. These findings suggest that ankle strength, balance, and core stability should be comprehensively evaluated and targeted in CAI rehabilitation programs.

Activation Capacity of the Intrinsic Musculature of the Foot in Handball Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability

“…Ozmen and Aydegmus [ 47 ] applied a core strengthening program to healthy athletes, finding, at the end of the program, an improvement in dynamic stability. Finally, Jiang et al [ 48 ] report improvements in ankle strength, jumping tests and dynamic stability following a Pilates training program in which CAI subjects participated. Therefore, it is recommended that we continue evaluating the possible relationships between the abdominal wall musculature and IPM and CAI.…”

Unlocking the Potential: Increasing Muscle Strength in Lower Limbs of Youth Soccer Players over Five Weeks through Mat Pilates Training—A Pilot Study

“…However, the literature lacks clinical trials that provide evidence on the effects of low-cost and easily accessible training programs that are effective for the under-13 and under-15 soccer categories. Pilates emerges as a viable option that could be recommended as a complementary method to strengthen the muscles that contribute to the to body posture and, consequently, enhancing athletes’ performance, particularly during the growth phase [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. It would make an important contribution to trunk stabilization and allow children to perform better in sports by working deeper muscles.…”

“…It would make an important contribution to trunk stabilization and allow children to perform better in sports by working deeper muscles. As the muscles and bones are in the formation phase, the correct stimulus could lead to the best static body posture and for sporting gestures [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

“…The synchronization of breathing with movements is a distinctive feature of Pilates [ 12 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. This component contributes not only to biomechanical efficacy but also to trunk stabilization, enhancing movement efficiency and promoting body awareness [ 10 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Such an approach contributes to the proportional development of muscle strength and improved body awareness, positively affecting proprioception and postural control.…”

Effect of Deep Stabilization System Training on the Shot Velocity in Professional Female Handball Players: Cross-sectional Study

“…Professional athletes tend to achieve better results and thus bring the game to a higher level, which is also conditioned by increasing performance. In this context, the new research studies that bring updated training methods lead to an increase in sports performance (Fritz et al, 2020, Jiang et al, 2022, Junker and Stöggl, 2019, Nuhmanni, 2022, Takahashi et al, 2019, Reed et al, 2012.…”