Evaluation of Endurance of Core Muscles in Female Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common sport related injuries. It is estimated that most of the individuals who suffer from LAS develop chronic ankle instability(CAI), therefore detection of contributing factors to this injury is essential. The aim of present study was to evaluate the endurance of core muscles in patients with chronic ankle instability in female athletes.
Fifteen athletes with CAI (Mean±S.D: age=25±3.5years, height=167.6±8.5cm, weight=64/8±6/1kg) and fifteen healthy female athletes (Mean±S.D: age 26±4.2 years, height=168.9±4.7 cm, weight=62.1±7.3kg) were selected with non-probability sampling. We used the method of McGill to assess endurance of core muscles that include trunk flexors, trunk extensors and bilateral side flexors. Data were analyzed using MANOVA test and independent sample t-test (p≤0.05).
Athletes with CAI showed significant difference in the time of endurance tests in relation to healthy athletes (f=13.18, p= 0.00). The most related muscle endurance to CAI were back extensors (PES=0.62) and after that, trunk flexors (PES=0.51), right side flexors (PES=0.38) and left side flexors (PES=0.31), respectively. There were no significant differences in the ratios of flexor / extensor and right side flexors / left side flexors tests.
Based on the result of this study, the endurance of core muscles was lower in patients with CAI, so it would be suggested that trainers, physicians and athletes consider core endurance assessment in prevention and rehabilitation to avoid athletes from ankle sprain and instability.