The aim of the present study was to evaluate balance deficits after an ankle sprain in collegiate students and to examine the effectiveness of 2 different balance rehabilitation programs on balance ability. Thirty collegiate students with functional ankle instability were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups followed an intervention balance program for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 minutes per session, using balance boards. One of the 2 training groups performed the exercises on the ground-the "Land" group (n = 15), and the other in a swimming pool-the "Aquatic" group (n = 15). Balance ability was assessed before and after the 6-week intervention program. Balance assessments included static (stability indices: total, anterior-posterior, medial-lateral) and dynamic (dynamic moving the cursor) stability tests on the Biodex Stability System (Biodex, Inc, Shirley, NY). The results showed that in both training groups balance ability of the injured leg was significantly improved after the training period. In the final measurements, no statistically significant differences between the injured and healthy limb were found. The present study indicates that the performance of balance exercises in or out of water by collegiate students with functional ankle instability improves their balance ability.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic, Level 1.
Keywords: ankle; ankle instability; ankle rehabilitation; aquatic training; balance.