Effect of Eight Weeks of Ai Chi exercise on Balance, Proprioception, and Performance of Elite Female Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability

Ai Chi is a new method of aquatic therapy and recommended in the rehabilitation of ankle injuries. Effect of the new Aichi method in the rehabilitation of ankle injuries is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of Ai Chi exercises on balance, ankle joint proprioception and performance in elite female athletes with functional ankle instability.”

A total of 30 female volleyball, basketball, and handball players with functional ankle instability were divided into two groups of control (n=15; age: 21.9±1.22 years, height: 164.54±4.05 cm, weight: 61.19±7.40 kg, and BMI: 21.84±1.8 kg/m2) and training (n=15; age: 22.53±1.71 years, height: 165.07±5.18 cm, and weight: 59.45±8.82 kg, and BMI: 21.87±1.17 kg/m2). Before and after the exercise, the BIODEX balance system was used to evaluate the balance, a goniometer was used for proprioception evaluation, and the figure 8 hop test and side-to-side hop test were used to evaluate the performance. The training group performed Ai Chi exercises for eight weeks (twice per week, each for 30-60 min). Paired t-test and independent t-test were used to examine the between-group and within-group differences.

Ai Chi exercises improved between-group and within-group changes of static and dynamic balance, proprioception, and performance in female athletes (P˂0.05).

Female athletes’ balance, proprioception and performance can be improved by performing Ai Chi exercises in water. Therefore, the use of these aquatic exercises is recommended along with other training methods, since they challenges the physiological systems involved in balance.