The Effects of Balance Training Following Sensory Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategies on Postural Control, Dorsiflexion Range of Motion, Function, and Kinesiophobia in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of three different 6-week interventions—Sensory Targeted Ankle Rehabilitation Strategy (STARS) alone, balance training alone, and a sequentially integrated STARS and balance training on postural control, dorsiflexion range of motion, self-reported function, and kinesiophobia in athletes with chronic ankle instability. Thirty-five athletes were assigned to one of the three intervention groups. A 2 × 3 mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed no significant Time × Group interactions and no significant group main effects for any outcome (all p  > .05). However, significant time main effects were observed for all outcomes (all p  < .001), indicating comparable improvements across all three intervention groups, with large effect sizes observed within each group for the majority of outcomes. STARS alone produced improvements comparable to balance training alone, and a sequentially integrated STARS and balance training across all measured outcomes associated with chronic ankle instability.