The Effect of Five-Toed Socks on Postural Control Among Active Individuals Who Have Chronic Ankle Instabilities

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries in sports. There is a unique style of socks that have become popular in Japan among athletes that could also improve postural control. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of five-toed socks on dynamic postural control in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability.

Detailed Description: Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is one of the most common injuries in sports. Ankle braces and orthotic insoles also have been shown to influence the neuromuscular control system by enhancing the proprioceptive and cutaneous afferent inputs to the central nerve system; thereby improving postural control. There is a unique style of socks that have become popular in Japan among athletes that could also improve postural control by enhancing cutaneous afferent inputs from the plantar surface of the foot and toes. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of five-toed socks on dynamic postural control in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

member of university community
All subjects will be physically active (at least 30 minutes of sustained exercise 3 times/week

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Without Unilateral CAI	Unilateral CAI	Individuals with no history of chronic ankle instability (CAI)
With Unilateral CAI	Unilateral CAI	Individuals with a history of chronic ankle instability (CAI) that is affecting only one limb

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Primary Outcome Measurement for This Study Was to Determine Differences in Center of Pressure (COP) and Static Postural Control Patterns in Individuals With and Without CAI During the Single Limb Balance Test.	3 weeks	Participants were recruited to complete three testing sessions, separated by approximately one week. The participants were tested while wearing five-toed socks. Static postural control was assessed on a force plate (model 4060NC; Bertec Corp. Inc., Columbus, OH) with the subject in a single-limb stance. Center of Pressure (COP) data were sampled at 50Hz. The subjects completed three 15-second trials with a one-minute rest between trials. Motion Monitor software (Innovative Sports Training, Inc., Chicago, IL) collected COP data during the single-limb stance test. The primary outcome was COP-Velocity (cm/sec).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reaching Distances	3 weeks	The secondary outcome measurement for this study will be to determine differences in the mean value of the three reaching distances (the anterior, posterior lateral, and posterior medial direction) of the SEBT in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability. The reaching distances (cm) from the three directions were averaged together and then normalized to the leg length of the stance leg (cm). The outcome variable, normalized maximum reaching distance (MAXD), was represented as a percentage value representing the distance as a % of leg length.