The immediate effect of core stability exercises on postural sway in athletes with functional ankle

Given the importance of core stability exercises as well as the high incidence of ankle sprains and functional instability and Subsequently, increasing of postural sway as a risk factor for the occurrence of ankle sprain, Core stability exercises aimed at stabilizing the central area of ​​the body can have a significant role in reducing postural sway. Therefore the purpose of this study is the immediate effect of core stability exercises on postural sway in athletes with functional ankle instability. Thirty male college athletes with functional ankle instability participated in this study. After Primary screening and identification of eligible athletes with ankle joint functional assessment tool (AJFAT), subjects were divided into the experimental (n=15) and control group (n =15). Athletes’ experimental group did two types of core stability exercises in a session. Postural sway measured in both groups before and after the test. Statistical test results showed that the core stability exercises affected the postural sway in athletes with functional ankle instability in the short-term with the closed eyes and significantly reduced their postural sway (p˂0/05). But this exercises had no effect on postural sway with open eyes (p<0/05). It seems that core stabilizer muscles are important in control of proximal and distal joints for reduction of postural sway in athletes with functional ankle instability when their eyes are closed and doing this exercises in the short-term can be useful in reduction of postural sway in athletes with functional ankle instability.