The effect of silicone ankle sleeves and lace-up ankle braces on neuromuscular control, joint torque, and cutting agility.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of silicone ankle sleeves (SASs) and lace-up ankle braces (LABs) on neuromuscular control, net joint torques, and cutting agility in healthy, active individuals.

DESIGN

Markerless motion-capture technology tracked subjects fitted with SASs, LABs, or no brace while they performed the movements: Y-excursion, left cutting, right cutting, single-leg drop vertical jump (SLDVJ), 45-degree bound, and single-leg squat (SLS).

SETTING

University Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Ten healthy, active individuals (5 males and 5 females, mean ± SD 23.60 ± 1.43 years of age).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Degrees of joint range of motion (ROM), Newton-meters of joint torque, time to perform a cutting maneuver.

RESULTS

SASs and LABs resulted in significantly different knee and ankle ROM and hip internal rotation in the SLDVJ, SLS, Y-excursion, cutting maneuver, and 45-degree bound when compared to control (p < .05). Both ankle and knee torque were significantly reduced in the 45-degree bound and cutting movements with both types of PABs (p < .05). There were minimal differences between the SASs and LABs for all conditions. There were no statistically significant differences in cutting times for any of the 3 conditions.

CONCLUSION

Both SAS and LAB positively impacted neuromuscular control, reduced net joint torque, and neither impaired cutting agility when compared to control.