“Effects of ankle orthoses on postural balance and gait parameters in athletes with ankle injuries: A systematic review”

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q1 REHABILITATION

Physical Therapy in Sport Pub Date : 2025-11-01 Epub Date: 2025-09-14 DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.09.005

Zeinab Gasavi Nezhad , Majid Ansari , Mahmood Bahramizadeh

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Ankle injuries in athletes often impair balance and gait, affecting performance. Although ankle orthoses are used to improve stability, their effects on postural control and gait remain unclear. This review investigates the impact of ankle orthoses on balance and gait in injured athletes.

Methods

This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (XXXXXX) and conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, included interventional and observational studies up to April 30, 2025. Databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Two independent reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the EPHPP tool. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE, and results were narratively synthesized due to study heterogeneity.

Results

Thirty-three studies involving 736 athletes with ankle injuries were included. Semi-rigid orthoses improved postural balance and gait by reducing peak inversion angles (10–15 %) and enhancing dynamic stability. Soft braces improved dynamic stability, measured by tests such as the Star Excursion Balance Test. Rigid braces often limited joint motion and compromised performance. Overall, evidence certainty was low (GRADE rating) due to methodological limitations, especially in blinding and confounder control.

Conclusion

Semi-rigid ankle orthoses appear most effective in improving balance and gait post–ankle injury, with clinical relevance for sport-specific rehabilitation to enhance stability and reduce recurrence risks. High-quality randomized trials are needed to strengthen the evidence and guide sport-specific orthotic use.

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踝关节矫形器对踝关节损伤运动员姿势平衡和步态参数的影响：一项系统综述。

目的：踝关节损伤经常损害运动员的平衡和步态，影响运动表现。虽然踝关节矫形器用于提高稳定性，但其对姿势控制和步态的影响尚不清楚。本文综述了踝关节矫形器对受伤运动员平衡和步态的影响。方法：该系统综述在PROSPERO （XXXXXX）注册，遵循PRISMA 2020指南进行，包括截至2025年4月30日的介入和观察性研究。检索的数据库包括PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science和CINAHL。两名独立审稿人使用EPHPP工具进行筛选、数据提取和质量评估。使用GRADE评估证据的确定性，由于研究的异质性，对结果进行叙述性综合。结果：纳入33项研究，涉及736名踝关节损伤运动员。半刚性矫形器通过减少峰值反转角（10- 15%）和增强动态稳定性来改善姿势平衡和步态。软支架提高了动态稳定性，通过诸如星偏移平衡测试等测试来测量。刚性支架通常会限制关节运动和降低性能。总体而言，由于方法学的限制，特别是在盲法和混杂因素控制方面，证据确定性较低（GRADE评级）。结论：半刚性踝关节矫形器在改善踝关节损伤后的平衡和步态方面最有效，与运动特异性康复具有临床相关性，可以增强稳定性并降低复发风险。需要高质量的随机试验来加强证据和指导特定运动矫形器的使用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Physical Therapy in Sport 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

8.30%

发文量

125

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： Physical Therapy in Sport is an international peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for the publication of research and clinical practice material relevant to the healthcare professions involved in sports and exercise medicine, and rehabilitation. The journal publishes material that is indispensable for day-to-day practice and continuing professional development. Physical Therapy in Sport covers topics dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries, as well as more general areas of sports and exercise medicine and related sports science. The journal publishes original research, case studies, reviews, masterclasses, papers on clinical approaches, and book reviews, as well as occasional reports from conferences. Papers are double-blind peer-reviewed by our international advisory board and other international experts, and submissions from a broad range of disciplines are actively encouraged.