The effect of ankle bracing on peak mediolateral ground reaction force during cutting maneuvers in collegiate male basketball players.

The literature suggests that one-third of ankle injuries sustained during a collegiate basketball season are due to the poor execution of dynamic cutting movements, leading to increased mediolateral force being placed on the unstable ankle. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of ankle bracing on peak mediolateral ground reaction forces (PMGRF) during sidestep cutting motions in collegiate basketball players. Ten male collegiate basketball players, with no previous history of ankle trauma, performed sidestep cutting motions past a static defensive opponent at speeds between 4.5 and 5.5 meters per second under 2 different conditions, with and without ankle bracing. Peak mediolateral ground reaction force was recorded (as a unit of body weight) for each subject in both bracing and control conditions. The application of an Aircast brace significantly (P = 0.01) reduced peak mediolateral forces during cutting maneuvers compared with no brace. Results suggest that the application of an Aircast ankle brace significantly reduces PMGRF during cutting maneuvers around a static defensive opponent.