The Effect of a Plyometric Training Program on Different Levels on Balance, Power and Functional Movement of Lower Extremity Non-athletic Girls with Ankle Sprain: A Pilot Study

The ankle joint is a critical part of any movement in the closed kinetic chain, which makes ankle one of the most vulnerable areas of the body. Sprains are the most common ankle injuries. This study was conducted to the effect of the eight-week plyometric training program at different levels on the balance, power, and motor performance of the lower extremities of non-athlete girls with ankle sprains.

The quasi-experimental research method with the pre-test, post-test and follow-up control group design was employed in the study. The study population consisted of all non-athlete girls with ankle sprains within the age range of 18 to 30 years. Among whom 30 participants were selected by purposive sampling. After filling out the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and diagnosis and confirmation of a specialist physician, the participants completed a consent form and were then divided into three groups (control, experimental jump and experimental depth jump). Before and after eight weeks of exercises in two experimental groups, the Y-balance test was performed to assess dynamic balance; the vertical jump test was performed to measure explosive power; and three-step jump; lateral jump and jump 8 were performed to evaluate motor performance as pre andpost-tests were done in the three groups. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis test and SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA).

In the jump group, the mean (SD) score of the Y-balance test increased from129.00 (5.38) in the pre-test to 139.69 (7.26) in the post-test (P<0.001); and in the depth jump group, it increased from 121.20 (6.27) in the pre-test to 130.47 (5.31) in the post-test (P<0.001). This training protocol was more effective in the jump group than in the depth jump workouts. In the jump group, the mean score (SD) of vertical jump increased from 28.20 (4.31) in the pre-test to 37.80 (6.47); and in the depth jump group, it increased from 25.80 (4.04) in the pre-test to 40.40 (4.19) in the post-test (P<0.001). In vertical jump, the depth jump exercises were more effective than the jump workouts. In the jump group, the mean score (SD) of lateral jump increased from 25.00 (7.70) in the pre-test to 41.60 (9.51) in the post-test; and in the depth jump group it increased from 23.30 (4.83) in the pre-test to 36.10 (5.68) in the post-test (P<0.001). The scores of the control group in pre-test and post-test were not statistically different. This training protocol was more effective in the jump group than in the depth jump group.

The study showed that the eight-week plyometric training program at different levels improved the balance, power, and motor performance of the lower extremities in non-athlete girls with ankle sprains. The balance and motor performance of the lower extremities were affected by jump exercises more than depth jump workouts, and explosive power was affected by depth jump exercises more than jump workouts