Validity of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure in athletes with chronic ankle instability.

CONTEXT

The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) is a region-specific, non-disease-specific outcome instrument that possesses many of the clinimetric qualities recommended for an outcome instrument. Evidence of validity to support the use of the FAAM is available in individuals with a wide array of ankle and foot disorders. However, additional evidence to support the use of the FAAM for those with chronic ankle instability (CAI) is needed.

OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence of construct validity for the FAAM based on hypothesis testing in athletes with CAI.

DESIGN

Between-groups comparison.

SETTING

Athletic training room.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Thirty National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II athletes (16 men, 14 women) from one university.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The FAAM including activities of daily living (ADL) and sports subscales and the global and categorical ratings of function.

RESULTS

For both the ADL and sports subscales, FAAM scores were greater in healthy participants (100 +/- 0.0 and 99 +/- 3.5, respectively) than in subjects with CAI (88 +/- 7.7 and 76 +/- 12.7, respectively; P < .001). Similarly, for both ADL and sports subscales, FAAM scores were greater in athletes who indicated that their ankles were normal (98 +/- 6.3 and 96 +/- 6.9, respectively) than in those who classified their ankles as either nearly normal or abnormal (87 +/- 6.6 and 71 +/- 11.1, respectively; P < .001). We found relationships between FAAM scores and self-reported global ratings of function for both ADL and sports subscales. Relationships were stronger when all athletes, rather than just those with CAI, were included in the analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The FAAM may be used to detect self-reported functional deficits related to CAI.