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The influence of playing level on functional ankle stability in soccer players

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the functional ankle stability between professional and amateur soccer players as well as controls.

Materials and methods

Thirty professional soccer players, 30 amateur soccer players and 30 controls were evaluated. All participants completed a questionnaire. Range of motion (ROM), peroneal reaction time (PRT) and ankle position sense were measured. Balance control was investigated with the Biodex Stability System, measuring the stable level 8 and the unstable level 2.

Results

Professional soccer players cited significantly more frequent ankle sprains than all other groups (P = 0.002). They showed a significantly decreased dorsiflexion of the right foot (amateur: P = 0.017; controls: P = 0.004), an increased pronation of both feet (amateurs: right: P = 0.0048, left: P = 0.006; controls: right: P = 0.017, left: P = 0.007) and a decreased supination of the left foot in comparison to all other groups (amateurs: P = 0.003; controls: P = 0.004). Balance control showed no significant differences among all groups. Significant differences in angle reproduction were observed between professionals and amateurs for the left ankle joint at the positions of 105° (P = 0.0018) and 140° (P = 0.013). Professionals (P = 0.004) and amateurs (P = 0.001) showed a significantly delayed PRT of the right peroneus longus muscle compared to controls. In addition, the PRT of the right peroneus brevis muscle was significantly increased in professional soccer players in comparison to controls (P = 0.017).

Conclusions

Professional soccer players have shown more frequent ankle sprains, limited ROM, and delayed PRT of the right leg which reflects the higher risk of functional ankle instability due to intensified work-related use of feet. Therefore, proprioceptive exercises of the ankle in daily training programs are recommended in order to minimize the risk of ankle injuries and improve functional ankle stability.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the following individuals for their contributions to this article: Ursula Range for statistical support, Thomas Albrecht for photographical work, Sven Hartmann for the recruitment of participants as well as Karin Stevens for linguistic support in the manuscript preparation.

Conflict of interest

This study has been financially supported by Aircast Europe Company (Neubeuern, Germany). The funding had no involvement in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation data, in the writing of the report and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The authors of this study were independent from funders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital “Carl Gustav Carus”, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Susanne Rein, Wolfgang Schneiders & Hans Zwipp

  2. Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Witten/Herdecke, Cologne-Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany

    Tobias Fabian

  3. Department of Hand, Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery, Hospital of Linth, Gasterstr. 25, 8730, Uznach, Switzerland

    Stefan Weindel

Authors
  1. Susanne Rein
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  2. Tobias Fabian
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  3. Stefan Weindel
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  4. Wolfgang Schneiders
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  5. Hans Zwipp
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Correspondence to Susanne Rein.

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Rein, S., Fabian, T., Weindel, S. et al. The influence of playing level on functional ankle stability in soccer players. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131, 1043–1052 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1275-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1275-8

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