Summary
Hip abductor strength deficit was the risk factor for inversion ankle sprain in male college soccer players.
Abstract
Background
Inversion ankle sprains are common in male college soccer players. Additionally, long-term symptoms occur in up to 79% of players, and some players tend to become frustrated with chronic ankle instability. Therefore, from an injury prevention standpoint, inversion ankle sprains in young male soccer players are of particular interest. To prevent inversion ankle sprain, we should recognize the risk factors in young male soccer players. Many previous studies have attempted to determine whether certain risk factors can predict the occurrence of inversion ankle sprain. However, previous studies on risk factors of ankle sprain focused on deficits in muscle strength and flexibility and injury history independently and derived the risk factor from few possible factors. Therefore, no consensus has been reached on the predictive risk factors of inversion ankle sprain in male college soccer players.
Purpose
This prospective cohort study aimed to identify risk factors for inversion ankle sprains among male college soccer players.
Methods
In total, 145 male college soccer players were assessed in the pre-season medical assessment for potential risk factors of inversion ankle sprain. The pre-season medical assessment included anthropometric measurements (body weight, body height, body mass index and body composition parameters), joint laxity ( hand, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and trunk) and joint flexibility (hip, knee and ankle), muscle flexibility (iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, hamstring, gastrocnemius,and soleus muscles), lower muscle strength (isometric knee extension, knee flexion and hip abduction), and balance ability (double- and single-leg stance balance with a force plate), with a total of 33 variables. The participants were monitored for inversion ankle sprains for one season and they were diagnosed by medical doctors.
Results
A total of 31 inversion ankle sprains in 31 players (21.3%) occurred in one season. No participants were lost to follow-up during the injury registration period. Only the measured and normalized isometric hip abductor strength was significantly lower in injured players than in uninjured players. The measured and normalized hip abductor strength in injured players was 153.2 ± 32.2 (Nm) and 2.3 ± 0.5 (Nm/kg), and that in uninjured players was 167.4 ± 34.0 and 2.5 ± 0.4. The logistic regression analysis revealed measured hip abductor muscle strength deficit as the significant risk factor for inversion ankle sprain (odds ratio 0.978; 95% confidence interval 0.976–0.999; p=0.047).
Conclusion
Hip abductor strength deficit was the risk factor for inversion ankle sprain in male college soccer players. This finding could be useful for a prevention of inversion ankle sprain in male college soccer players.