(1) Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a complex condition that includes limited mobility, perceived instability, and recurrent ankle sprains are common characteristics that reduce the quality of life in subjects who suffer from CAI. Neuromuscular training and strength training have been recommended in CAI management interventions. However, there are contradictory findings on results when comparing neuromuscular training, strength training, and the control group. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 8 weeks of neuromuscular intervention training, strength training, and no intervention in a sporting population with reported CAI. (2) Methods: Sixty-seven athletes with CAI were randomly assigned to a neuromuscular training group (NG), strength training group (SG), or control group (CG). Participants completed 8 weeks of neuromuscular training (a combination of static and dynamic exercises), strength training (resistance band exercises), or no training. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks and included selfs-reported instability feeling (CAIT), dynamic balance (SEBT), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (WBLT), and functional status (FAAM and FAAM-SPORT). (3) Results: There were significant differences between strength and control groups in the posteromedial direction of SEBT, FAAM, and FAAM-SPORT after 8 weeks of intervention. (4) Conclusions: Neuromuscular training and strength training based on resistance bands exercises showed significant improvements in ankle dorsiflexion, subjective feeling of instability, functional status, and dynamic balance in patients with CAI.

Neural changes in the ankle stabilizing muscles following ankle sprains are thought to be one contributing factor to persistent ankle dysfunction. However, empirical evidence is limited. Therefore, we aimed to examine spinal reflex excitability of lower leg muscles following acute ankle sprains (AAS). We performed a case-control study with 2 groups consisting of 30 young adults with AAS and 30 aged-matched uninjured controls. Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) testing was performed to estimate spinal reflex excitability of lower leg muscles: soleus, fibularis longus (FL), tibialis anterior (TA). Maximal H-reflex (H_max) and motor responses (M_max) were determined by delivering a series of electrical stimuli at the sciatic nerve. H_max/M_max ratios were calculated to represent normalized spinal reflex excitability. Separate group-by-limb analyses of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures found there were no significant interactions for any of the muscles (SL: F_1,56 = 0.95, p = 0.33, FL: F_1,51 = 0.65, p = 0.42, TA: F_1,51 = 1.87, p = 0.18), but there was a significant main effect of group in the soleus (F_1,56 = 6.56, p = 0.013), indicating the H_max/M_max ratio of soleus in the AAS group was significantly lower bilaterally (AAS = 0.56 ± 0.19, control = 0.68 ± 0.17, p = 0.013), with no significant group differences in the other muscles (FL: F_1,51 = 0.26, p = 0.61, TA: F_1,51 = 0.93, p = 0.34). The bilateral inhibition of the soleus spinal reflex excitability following AAS may be significant in that it may explain bilateral sensorimotor deficits (postural control deficits) following unilateral injury, and provide insights into additional therapies aimed at the neural change.

To identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the existing evidence regarding the effects of therapeutic interventions on arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) in patients with chronic ankle insta... Therapeutic interventions on arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) in patients with chronic ankle instability are scarce.Current studies incorporate mainly short-term therapeutic interventions.Focal ...

This study aimed to identify pickleball-related injury prevalence and risk factors in older adults and evaluate injury incidence during a pickleball tournament. A cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported injuries from the past 12 months and new injuries during the 2018 US Open Pickleball Championships. Data were collected on demographics, play characteristics, and psychological attributes. Injury details came from self-reports and medical tent records. Hierarchical logistic regression identified significant injury predictors. Of 237 participants, 32.1% reported past-year injuries, mainly in lower extremities (57.9%) and muscle/tendon tissues (61.8%). The tournament had a 5.8% incidence of new injuries, primarily in lower extremities and skin/muscle tissues. Key risk factors were male gender, lower BMI, and increased weekly play hours. No significant associations were found with psychological variables. Pickleball players have a high injury prevalence, especially in lower extremities, linked to longer play hours, male gender, and lower BMI.

Background: Pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, yet limited research exists regarding injury epidemiology and associated risk factors, particularly in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of injuries among recreational pickleball players.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 1st HEAD Korea Open Pickleball Championship in 2024, with 232 participants (mean age 50.5 ± 12.2 years) completing a questionnaire on demographics, playing habits, and injuries experienced over the previous 12 months.Results: 34.2% reported at least one injury. The most affected regions were the knee (23.3%), elbow or forearm (18.1%), and shoulder or upper arm (17.2%). Overuse injuries (i.e., those with a gradual onset and no single traumatic event) accounted for 78% of reported cases, while 22% were related to acute trauma. The most frequent injury types were muscle or tendon injuries (33.3%) and joint sprains or dislocations (28.3%). Logistic regression analysis identified higher self-rated skill level as significantly associated with a reduced risk of injury (odds ratio [OR] = 0.789, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.624–0.992, p = 0.044), as well as greater weekly play hours (OR = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.861–0.963, p = 0.001). In contrast, age, gender, total playing experience, and frequency of weekly play were not significantly associated with injury risk.Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for skill-based and volume-conscious injury prevention strategies, particularly for beginner and recreational players, to support safe participation in this fast-growing sport.

PURPOSE: Quantifying postural control using Center-of-Pressure (COP) data obtained from a force plate is commonly used in balance assessments, yet the sensitivity of various sway area metrics remains unclear. This study introduced the convex hull area as a novel metric and aimed to examine how four COP-based sway area measures–rectangular, 66% effective, 95% ellipse, and the convex hull area–respond to progressively restricted visual conditions during single-leg balance. We also aimed to identify how the convex hull area performed relative to traditional sway area metrics.METHODS: Forty healthy adults (20 males and 20 females) performed three 10-second single-leg balance trials on a force plate under progressively restricted visual conditions using stroboscopic goggles. Three traditional COP-based sway area parameters and the introduced convex hull area were used to quantify single-leg postural control. All participants completed the balance tests under six visual conditions.RESULTS: A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between sway area parameters and visual conditions (F=5.90, p<.001). The 95% ellipse area showed the highest sensitivity, followed by the convex hull, rectangular, and 66% effective area parameters across different visual conditions. The 95% ellipse and convex hull area produced similar results and were significantly different from the rectangular and 66% effective area (p<.001).CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the convex hull area is capable of detecting changes in postural control alongside the 95% ellipse area, performing comparably to traditional sway area metrics. Our results may contribute to the standardization of COP-based sway area metrics.