Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is characterized by muscle weakness and impaired neuromuscular control. This study aimed (a) to assess the impact of external verbal feedback on the dynamic balance of athletes with CAI and (b) to examine the maintenance of dynamic balance ability after the end of the completion of the intervention balance program. Thirty athletes (mean age 21.63 ± 1.53) were randomly divided into three groups: an experimental group with external verbal feedback, 1st control group without external verbal feedback and the 2nd control group without balance training and without feedback. Assessments using a balance board and the ‘Y-balance’ test were conducted before and after the balance training period. Additionally, participants completed the Cumberland Ankle Joint Instability Tool. A retention test of balance ability was administered after the 4-week intervention period. Statistical analysis revealed a significant overall improvement in balance (F(2,36) =5.96, p = 0.006, partial η² =0.249), including those with no balance training, but no significant differences between the groups. Thus, the external verbal feedback did not show a positive impact on the balance ability between the three different groups. Also, the experimental group with the external verbal feedback demonstrated maintenance of dynamic balance learning ability. Although it appears that balance training has a positive effect on the dynamic balance of individuals with CAI, a non-positive impact of external verbal feedback was found. Also, it appears that external verbal feedback significantly led to sustained retention of balance learning ability. Further research is recommended to validate these findings.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between re-injury worry, confidence, and attention and athletes’ functional status upon returning to sport after an injury. The sample consisted of 28 amateur-level male football players, aged 18 to 35 years, with a previous lower-limb injury. The athletes followed a physiotherapy rehabilitation program and completed three valid questionnaires examining re-injury worry, sport confidence, and attention returning to sport. The sample also performed three functional tests: (a) single-leg hop for distance, (b) side hop, and (c) the vertical jump. The results showed high correlations between the psychological factors between the functional tests. Physiotherapy duration was positively highly correlated with the time of absence from sport and severity of injury. The severity of the injury was also positively highly correlated with the time of absence from sport. The factors “Functional Attention” and “Distraction Attention” showed a positive and negative correlation with the single-leg hop for distance and the vertical jump, respectively. Athletes with a grade II severity injury showed greater attention compared to grade III severity injury. The increased level of re-injury worry was positively related to “Distraction Attention” and negatively related to the functional ability of the injured limb. The psychological readiness was partially related to the athletes’ functional status. The present study reports the importance of psychological readiness and its relationship with athletes’ functional status of returning to sport following a musculoskeletal sport injury.