Investigating the Effects of Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises on Proprioception and Inversion/Eversion Strength Imbalance of the Ankle Joint in Track and Field Athletes With Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Correct proprioceptive information and muscle balance of the ankle joint muscles are essential in preventing sports injuries. This study aims to investigate the effect of closed kinetic chain exercises on proprioception and inversion/eversion strength imbalance of the ankle joint in track and field athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome.

This was a randomized controlled trial study. In the present study, 22 male track and field athletes with a history of medial tibial stress syndrome and 11 male track and field athletes without medial tibial stress syndrome were purposefully selected and divided into 3 groups of 11 people as follows: 1) Closed kinetic chain exercises group, 2) The control group, and 3) The healthy group. The evaluation of absolute error of ankle joint position sense was done using the isokinetic dynamometer device actively on the leg with medial tibial stress syndrome. Isokinetic muscle strength testing was performed at 30°/s and 120°/s to assess the invertor and evertor muscle strength of the ankle. After evaluating the variables in the pre-test, the experimental group received the closed kinetic chain exercises three days each week for 8 weeks. During this period, the control group and the healthy group did not perform any exercises. Finally, after executing the selected protocol, the mentioned variables were measured again in the post-test. The analysis of covariance test was used to check the variables. In addition, the number of changes between groups was checked by the Bonferroni statistical test.

The results of the one-way analysis of variance statistical test showed no significant difference between the mean of the groups in the pre-test (P≤0.05). The results of the analysis of covariance test showed a significant difference between closed the kinetic chain exercises, control, and healthy groups (P≤0.05). The results of the post hoc test regarding the investigation of the intergroup difference. A significant difference was observed between closed kinetic chain exercises and healthy groups with the control group at post-intervention proprioception and inversion/eversion strength imbalance of the ankle joint. In addition, the results showed no significant differences between the closed kinetic chain exercises group and the healthy group (P≤0.05).

It seems that under the influence of a specialized training course of the closed kinetic chain exercises for athletes, because of the significant changes in establishing the muscle balance of the evertor and invertor muscles of the ankle joint and the sense of proprioception in this area, the sports performance of the athletes improves.