Perception of the home-based exercise training program among recreational athletes with chronic ankle instability: a qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND: Although home-based exercise training programs are increasingly used to manage chronic ankle instability (CAI), recreational athletes' perceptions of such programs remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we explored the perceptions of recreational athletes with CAI toward a home-based exercise training program. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews among recreational athletes with CAI, recruited via purposive and snowball sampling strategies. Participant eligibility was determined based on the inclusion criteria recommended by the International Ankle Consortium guidelines. Interviews were conducted online, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Trustworthiness was ensured through researcher triangulation and iterative coding. RESULTS: = 1]) were interviewed. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) perceived inadequacy of current self-management approaches, encompassing ad-hoc exercise routines and short-term symptom relief; (2) barriers and facilitators to adherence, including exercise execution competence, self-discipline, and performance-driven motivation; (3) essential design features for effective home programs, comprising strength and balance training, video-based instruction, professional feedback, minimal equipment, short sessions, and cross-sport applicability; and (4) athlete-centered indicators of success, defined as pain-free stability, confidence, and fear-free sports participation. CONCLUSION: Recreational athletes with CAI prefer a concise, low-equipment, video-guided home-based exercise training program emphasizing strength and balance, professional feedback, and multi-sport applicability. Success is defined by physical stability and restored confidence, informing the design of user-centered interventions to enhance adherence and recovery.