A Comparison between chronic ankle instability and postural control among 15’s rugby players with or without ankle injury in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Rugby is a complex, contact sport, comprising walking, jogging, running, and interspersed with sprinting and static exertions. The static and dynamic postural stability are fundamental in changes in direction and centre of gravity and incorporating players' rapid reactions during playmaking. These lead to increased susceptibility and frequency of ankle injuries, leading to chronic ankle instability in the long run. Aim: The study aimed to compare chronic ankle instability and postural control among rugby players with/without ankle injuries in Kenya. Method: This cross-section study included 127 participants with/without chronic ankle instability. The groups with/without completed the demographic sports history questionnaire, Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT), and star excursion balance test (SEBT). The CAIT was used to categorize the group into the CAI group and the healthy group, and the SEBT reach directions were used to measure reach distance in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral). The demographics characteristics, CAIT score, and reach distances were analyzed using mean, frequency, standard deviation, Pearson product- moment, one-way ANOVA, and paired t-test. Results: A non-significant difference was demonstrated among the three groups for age, height, and weight (p>0.05). There was no significant association between demographic characteristics and CAI and the control group. Only the anterior reach direction was significant concerning CAI limbs and the control group. The paired t-test revealed a significantly greater mean difference in the dominant versus nondominant leg in the CAI group for anterior reach direction (80.30±9.23 vs 75.98±6.61; p<0.01) and the control group (74.84±6.88) vs 75.98±6.61; p=0.01) respectively. There was no significant difference between the no CAI groups and CAI groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between postural control and ankle stability, mostly in the anterior reach direction, between the CAI groups and the no CAI groups. Therefore, the anterior reach direction of a SEBT can be used to assess the postural control of rugby players with chronic ankle instability.