Differences in ankle proprioceptive position sense and balance ability according to gender in adults with chronic ankle instability

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in ankle joint positio scence and balance ability between genders in subjects with CAI. Using the Identification Of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI), Ankle Instability Instrument (AII), and the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), a total of 29 adult CAI patients were selected and categorized by gender: 15 males and 14 females. We also measured Passive joint position sense (PJPS) and Active joint position sense (AJPS), which measure ankle joint proprioception, and stability index, which measures balance ability, and compared and analyzed the differences between the genders. The results showed that among the differences in ankle joint position sensation by gender, males were significantly smaller than females in Active dorsi flexion(p < 0.05), Active inversion(p < 0.05), and Passive inversion(p < 0.05). Thus, the JPS of subjects with CAI differs between men and women, suggesting that JPS assessment and rehabilitation strategies for CAI should be gender-specific.