The Comparison of Balance between Female Basketball Players with and without a History of Lateral Ankle Sprain

This study aimed to compare balance between two groups of female basketball players: with and without the history of lateral ankle sprain with support and nonsupport legs separately. Subjects were 103 female basketball players participating in University Primer League (1387) and were divided into two groups: with and without previous injuries based on previous lateral ankle sprain. To measure their balance, the stork balance stand test was used in two positions: open and closed eyes on support and non-support legs separately. To collect athlete's data, recording sheets were used and to compare their balance scores, an independent statistical t test was used (P<0.05). The findings of this study showed that in nonsupport legs, balance test scores in athletes with previous ankle sprain were significantly lower than the group without previous injury in both open and closed eyes position. However, in support legs, balance test scores showed no significant difference between the two groups neither in open eyes nor in closed eyes position (P<0.05). Non-support legs showed weaker balance than support legs in case of previous injury. The athletes with an injury in non-support ankle region will probably face weak balance if they do not receive sufficient rehabilitation. Moreover, as balance weakness is one of sprain risk factors in ankle, the injured athletes with an injury in their non-support ankle region will probably be more exposed to injuries again.