Effect of 6-week neuromuscular training on motor function in non-athletic women with chronic ankle instability

Background and Objective: Ankle instability is one of the most common injuries among active individuals, which may lead to chronic ankle instability. The aim of this research was to study the effects of six weeks of neuromuscular exercises on static and dynamic balance, proprioception, and muscle strength in women with chronic ankle instability. Methodology: In this semi-experimental study, 24 women with chronic ankle instability (aged 29.1 ± 7.10, height 163 ± 4, weight 64 ± 9.6) were purposefully selected and randomly paired (based on the Cumberland questionnaire score) into experimental and control groups. Before and after the six-week intervention, variables of static and dynamic balance, ankle proprioception, and muscle strength of invertor, evertor, dorsiflexor, and plantarflexor muscles were evaluated using foot scan, Y balance test, and isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3 Pro). The participants in the experimental group performed neuromuscular exercises for one hour, five sessions per week for six weeks. During the same period, the control group participants were asked to continue their daily activities and not engage in any other rehabilitation programs. Data analysis was conducted using mixed-design analysis of variance (P<0.05). Results: The results indicated that after six weeks of intervention in the experimental group, significant improvements were observed in static and dynamic balance, angle reproduction error of invertor and evertor of the ankle, and muscle strength of invertor, evertor, plantarflexor, and dorsiflexor muscles P<0.05).) Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it appears that performing neuromuscular exercises improves the measured parameters in women with chronic ankle instability. These effects were considerable in the experimental group. Therefore, it can be concluded that neuromuscular exercises are recommended in the rehabilitation process.