Effects of Ankle Strength Training on Neuromuscular Function in individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability

PURPOSE: Because neuromuscular function deficits are strongly associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI), ankle strength training is one of important factors for the treatment regarding neuromuscular function. METHODS: Literature review was performed to summarize effectiveness of ankle strength training on neuromuscular function in individuals with CAI. RESULTS: There are various ankle strength training protocols to improve postural stability, isometric strength, force sense, and joint position sense. However, although specifically invertor/evertor strength weakness is associated with CAI, there is limited evidence of no effectiveness for improvements of neuromuscular function deficits following ankle strength training. CONCLUSION: Although there are conflicting results and the effects of ankle training on neuromuscular function are still unclear due to different outcome measurements and/or interventions, power, and effect size, future studies should consider high quality of methodology regarding ankle strength training . Finally, since there are some evidence of effectiveness of ankle strength training, we suggested that ankle strength training can be an essential part of rehabilitation protocol to improve functional deficits in CAI.