Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER
Authors
1
Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Physical Education of pathology sports and Corrective exercises, Science and Branch, IAU. Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Corrective Exercise and Sport Injury, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
4
Department of Sports Sciences, Shomal University, Amol, Iran.
5
Department of Health and Sport Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/abjs.2026.91723.4157
Abstract
Objective: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a prevalent and costly issue among athletes, particularly elite female in-line speed skaters, due to the high incidence and long-term consequences of ankle sprains. Exercise-based interventions are among the most effective strategies for the rehabilitation of CAI. However, it remains unclear which specific method demonstrates superior efficacy. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of balance-strengthening and hopping exercises in reducing lower extremity kinetic risk factors for CAI.
Methods: Thrity nine elite female in-line speed skaters, randomized into hopping exercise, balance-strengthening exercise, and control groups. participants underwent 6 weeks of hopping or blance-strengthening intervention, with assessments of knee and ankle kinetics factors and proprioception, using the Biodex System 4 Pro.
Results: Both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in knee torque production and proprioception compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, participants in the hopping exercise group showed significantly greater improvements in knee torque production than those in the balance-strengthening group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that hopping exercises, are particularly effective in reducing CAI risk factors. This study highlights the importance of targeted exercise interventions in preventing chronic ankle sprains and improving functional performance in elite athletes.
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