{"title":"Hip muscle strength in patients with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Jiawei Zheng, Bing Xu, Xinxin Xiong, Jian Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To determine whether chronic ankle instability (CAI) individuals exhibit hip muscle strength deficits compared to healthy people.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive search of five databases was conducted from inception to May 2025 according to PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessment of included studies was performed using the modified Downs and Black checklist, and meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models with results reported as standardized mean differences (SMD).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten studies involving 548 participants (271 CAI, 277 healthy controls) were included. Individuals with CAI demonstrated significantly decreased isometric hip abduction (SMD: 0.56, P < 0.001), extension (SMD: 0.62, P = 0.003), and external rotation strength (SMD: 0.59, P = 0.005) compared to controls. No significant differences were found in isokinetic strength at 60°/s. Sensitivity analysis showed unstable results for hip external rotation strength, while other outcomes remained stable.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Individuals with CAI demonstrated significant deficits in isometric hip abduction and extension strength compared to healthy people. Hip muscle strength assessment should be incorporated into routine examination of CAI individuals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 48-57"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed M. El Melhat , Ayman El Khatib , Shimaa Abdelalim Essa , Ahmed F. Elhalawaty , Ahmed S. Abd El Wahed , Moustafa R. Zebdawi , Ghada M. Koura , Samah Saad Zahran
{"title":"Exploring the association of selected lower limb biomechanical variables on exacerbating pain, disability, and postural balance in female athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome","authors":"Ahmed M. El Melhat , Ayman El Khatib , Shimaa Abdelalim Essa , Ahmed F. Elhalawaty , Ahmed S. Abd El Wahed , Moustafa R. Zebdawi , Ghada M. Koura , Samah Saad Zahran","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to investigate the associations of selected lower limb biomechanical variables with pain severity, disability, and postural balance in female athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Biomechanics Laboratory.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>165 female athletes were assigned to the PFPS group and 160 as a healthy controls group.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) was measured via the Kinovea software program, tibial torsion was measured via a universal goniometer, and the navicular height was measured via a height caliper tool. Postural balance under dynamic stress was quantified via the Biodex Balance System, Pain severity via the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and disability via the anterior knee pain scale (AKPS).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>DKV and tibial torsion showed significant differences between groups. DKV positively correlated with pain (r = 0.451) and postural balance (r = 0.244, 0.341, and 0.351 for balance scores), and negatively with disability (r = −0.432). Tibial torsion negatively correlated with disability (r = −0.339). Navicular height had no significant correlation with the measured variables.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Lower limb biomechanics, especially DKV and tibial torsion, should be prioritized in performance screening for female athletes. This study highlights the importance of addressing biomechanical correction strategies into rehabilitation programs for female athletes with PFPS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 38-47"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144653978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ciaran O’ Connor , Eddie Coyle , Martin Mc Intyre , Eamonn Delahunt , Kristian Thorborg
{"title":"Exploring the effects of a weighted vs unweighted low-dose isometric Copenhagen adduction exercise training programme on hip adduction and abduction strength: a randomised controlled trial in senior-level male amateur rugby union players","authors":"Ciaran O’ Connor , Eddie Coyle , Martin Mc Intyre , Eamonn Delahunt , Kristian Thorborg","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To explore the effect of an isometric weighted Copenhagen adduction (WCA) exercise programme and an isometric unweighted Copenhagen adduction (CA) exercise programme on hip adduction strength, abduction strength and adduction:abduction strength ratio.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Randomized controlled trial, with flat outcome structure.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Rugby training facility.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Thirty-one male rugby players.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome methods</h3><div>Between-group differences in hip adduction strength, abduction strength and adduction:abduction ratio were assessed using independent-sample <em>t</em>-tests. Within-group differences in hip strength were assessed using paired-sample <em>t</em>-tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>15 participants were assigned to the CA group and sixteen to the WCA group. Post-intervention, a significant between-group difference in hip adduction:abduction strength ratio was observed (0.09 Nm/kg, <em>p</em> = 0.032) with large effect size (ES = 0.812). No significant between-group differences were evident for hip adduction strength (0.21 Nm/kg, <em>p</em> = 0.058) or hip abduction strength (0.01 Nm/kg, <em>p</em> = 0.856). The WCA group demonstrated significant increases in hip adduction (0.22 N/kg, +10 %, <em>p</em> = 0.008) and hip adduction:abduction ratio (0.06 N/kg, +7 %, <em>p</em> = 0.036), but not hip abduction (0.08 N/kg, +4 %, <em>p</em> = 0.055), following the 8-week programme. No significant changes in hip strength were observed in the CA group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A low-dose 8-week adductor exercise programme using the isometric WCA exercise elicits significant increases in hip adduction:abduction strength ratio when compared to an isometric CA exercise.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 29-37"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144653977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephanie F. Ryan , Wenting Ju , Paul J. Tofari , Scott Hulm , Maria Constantinou , Jack T. Hickey
{"title":"Reliability of tests assessing hamstring function during hip extension and their associations with maximal sprinting speed: a cross-sectional study","authors":"Stephanie F. Ryan , Wenting Ju , Paul J. Tofari , Scott Hulm , Maria Constantinou , Jack T. Hickey","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Establish test re-test reliability of three tests assessing hamstring function during hip extention and investigate their associations with maximal sprinting speed.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Biomechanics laboratory.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Twenty healthy, physically active men (age = 26 ± 5 years; height = 1.81 ± 0.07 m; body mass = 81 ± 7 kg).</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Participants performed a maximal sprinting speed test on a non-motorised-treadmill (NMT) and three tests assessing hamstring function (hamstring scooter, hamstring push and hamstring switch), during test and re-test sessions seven days apart. Hamstring scooter peak horizontal force was measured using the NMT, while hamstring push and hamstring switch peak hip extension forces were measured using force plates (ForceDecks Lite, Vald Performance, Brisbane, Australia). We calculated each test's intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) within (ICC<sub>2,1</sub>) test and re-test sessions, respectively, and between (ICC<sub>2,k</sub>) test and re-test sessions, along with Pearson's correlation coefficient (r-value) with maximal sprinting speed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Test re-test reliability ranged from moderate to excellent for all tests. The hamstring scooter was the only test with a statistically significant association (p < 0.01; r = 0.76) with maximal sprinting speed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The tests described in this study all had moderate to excellent test re-test reliability, but only the hamstring scooter was associated with maximal sprinting speed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 21-28"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diulian Muniz Medeiros, Bruno de Quadros Robaina, Vanda Virgínia Wolf Rigotti, Bruno Manfredini Baroni
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Resistance training with linear periodization is superior to the ‘3x10 reps protocol’ after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial” [Physical Therapy in Sport 74 (2025) 75–82]","authors":"Diulian Muniz Medeiros, Bruno de Quadros Robaina, Vanda Virgínia Wolf Rigotti, Bruno Manfredini Baroni","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Page 7"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Philippe Declève , Geoffroy Nourissat , Damien Neyens , Ann Cools , Dorien Borms
{"title":"Prevalence and injury profiles for recreational padel players: A cross-sectional survey-based study","authors":"Philippe Declève , Geoffroy Nourissat , Damien Neyens , Ann Cools , Dorien Borms","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To describe the injury rate and profiles of injuries sustained by recreational padel players, reporting time-loss and identifying player- and padel-related factors associated.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional survey-based retrospective study.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Belgian padel clubs.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Recreational adult padel players.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Players completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors, sports-playing practices, injuries sustained over the year and time to recovery. Injury profiles by gender and location are described. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with an increased likelihood of injury.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, 457 players (66.1 % men) participated, with a median age of 42 years. Overall, 167 players (36.5 %) [95 %CI 32.3; 41.1] sustained 185 injuries over the previous year with an injury rate of 2.81/1000 h playing. Median time to recovery was 30 days (IQR 15–60). Lower limb injuries were most common (53.5 %). Independent factors associated with injuries were age over 30 years, insomnia, less padel-playing experience, playing position on the right, carrying out a warm-up, using an overgrip and not playing another racket sport.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The incidence and profiles of padel injuries are similar to those observed in other studies. Female gender was not associated with higher injury risk. Other player- and padel-associated factors require further investigation to determine causality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 8-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144587642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark V. Paterno , Matthew P. Ithurburn , Staci Thomas , Christin M. Zwolski , Laura C. Schmitt
{"title":"Quadriceps femoris strength deficits early in rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction identify risk of future contralateral ACL injury following return to sport in young athletes: A Preliminary analysis","authors":"Mark V. Paterno , Matthew P. Ithurburn , Staci Thomas , Christin M. Zwolski , Laura C. Schmitt","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To test the relationship between quadriceps femoris (QF) strength 3 months after ACLR and long-term outcomes after ACLR.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Prospective, case-cohort.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Laboratory.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>51 <strong><em>(mean age</em></strong>:15.6 ± 2.2 yrs) athletes after ACLR.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>1) “Early” (13.7 ± 2.1 wks) post-ACLR testing included an isokinetic QF strength assessment. 2) At medical clearance to RTS (8.4 ± 1.6 months), isokinetic QF strength, hop testing, and patient-reported outcome data were collected. Associations between early QF strength and RTS measures, as well as 2nd ACL injury in the 36 months after RTS were assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>20 participants (39 %) sustained a 2nd ACL injury after RTS. Early QF strength limb symmetry (LSI) was moderately correlated with measures at RTS clearance (p < 0.05). Participants who failed to achieve ≥80 % QF LSI at the early testing session (23/51; 45.1 %) had 4 times higher odds (OR = 4.4; 95 %CI:1.0–19.2; p = 0.04) of sustaining a contralateral 2nd ACL injury in the 36 months following RTS clearance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Early QF LSI positively associates with RTS measures. Early QF strength symmetry <80 % was associated with increased risk of contralateral ACL injury after RTS. Greater QF strength deficits early in rehabilitation may be a biomarker of poor short- and long-term outcomes after ACLR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michal Shenhar , Gali Dar , Aharon Finestone , Jeremy Witchalls , Gordon Waddington , Yaakov Fixler , Nili Steinberg
{"title":"Does chronic ankle instability involve independent factors? A factor analysis on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool in infantry soldiers","authors":"Michal Shenhar , Gali Dar , Aharon Finestone , Jeremy Witchalls , Gordon Waddington , Yaakov Fixler , Nili Steinberg","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) has been widely used to evaluate ankle perceived instability. The aim of this study was to determine whether infantry soldiers with and without previous ankle sprain reported different factors within the CAIT, and whether these factors are associated with physical performance.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Settings</h3><div>Military base.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Seven-hundred and nineteen male infantry soldiers aged 18–21, completed the CAIT, previous sprains questionnaire and were assessed for anthropometric and functional abilities (proprioception, dynamic balance and agility).</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Factor analysis was performed on CAIT items, with Eigenvalue set to 1.5. Pearson correlations were performed between the factors extracted and the anthropometrics and functional abilities measurements, and independent T-tests were used to analyze associations between the factors and previous ankle sprains.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three factors were extracted: functional stability (factor 1), ankle rolling (factor 2) and functional performance (factor 3). Significant differences were found in participants’ self-rating on factors 1 and 2, between soldiers with and without previous sprain (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 for factors 1–2, respectively). Correlations with anthropometric and functional abilities were weak.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>CAIT items can be clustered into three factors of perceived instability, providing military clinicians with valuable insights for targeted interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 15-20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144597564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David J. Kempfert , Lucy H. Clacher , Nicholas C. Clark
{"title":"Relationship between single-leg balance, single-leg hop, and agility running performance in female field hockey players: Implications for lower extremity injury prevention screening","authors":"David J. Kempfert , Lucy H. Clacher , Nicholas C. Clark","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>In field hockey, there is limited information regarding lower extremity (LE) injury prevention screening protocols. To help inform the design of field hockey LE injury prevention screening protocols, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether static and dynamic single-leg balance (SLB), single-leg hop (SLH), and agility running tasks with unilateral limb-loading bias capture similar or different aspects of LE motor performance.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Indoor training facility.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Thirty adult female players.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>For the right and left LE, Pearson's correlations (<em>r</em>) and the coefficient of determination (<em>r</em><sup>2</sup>) assessed between-task relationships and shared variance, respectively, for: eyes-closed SLB, Star Excursion Balance Test – anterior reach, triple-hop-for-distance, 6-m-hop-for-time, modified pro-agility test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Across all correlations, 50% were not statistically-significant. Statistically-significant (<em>P</em> < 0.05) relationships were returned for the right LE (<em>r</em> = −0.69 to 0.42, <em>r</em><sup>2</sup> = 0.17 to 0.48) and left LE (<em>r</em> = −0.62 to 0.53, <em>r</em><sup>2</sup> = 0.17 to 0.38). Overall, between-task shared variance was ≤48.0%.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Because between-task shared variance was ≤48.0%, static and dynamic SLB, SLH, and agility running tasks with unilateral limb-loading bias each assess different aspects of LE motor performance. Therefore, practitioners should incorporate a range of LE motor performance tasks when designing field hockey LE injury prevention screening protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 118-126"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144518477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cheryl Shu Ming Chia , Sai-Chuen Fu , Violet Man-Chi Ko , Xin He , Xueyou Zhang , Yinghui Hua , Patrick Shu-Hang Yung , Samuel Ka-Kin Ling
{"title":"Investigating peroneus muscle quality in ankle stability: A comparative analysis between chronic ankle instability patients and healthy controls","authors":"Cheryl Shu Ming Chia , Sai-Chuen Fu , Violet Man-Chi Ko , Xin He , Xueyou Zhang , Yinghui Hua , Patrick Shu-Hang Yung , Samuel Ka-Kin Ling","doi":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To compare peroneal muscle quality between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy controls, and to examine their relationship with ankle stability.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Case-control study.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>Sports Medicine research laboratory.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sixty-five participants (35 with unilateral CAI, 30 healthy controls) were assessed. Peroneal muscle size, echogenicity, and passive stiffness were measured using ultrasound imaging and eversion strength was assessed with a hand-held dynamometer. Ankle stability was evaluated using the Y Balance Test (YBT), lateral step-down, and single-leg stance tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to controls, individuals with CAI showed significantly lower eversion strength, higher muscle echogenicity, and increased passive stiffness. In the CAI group, greater stiffness and reduced strength were associated with higher centre of pressure displacement during single-leg stance. Higher eversion strength was associated with increased YBT scores across all participants. Echogenicity was not directly associated with stability functions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Deficits in peroneal muscle quality, involving echogenicity, strength and stiffness, are demonstrated in the CAI population. These factors are associated with impaired instability among CAI individuals. Interventions targeting peroneal muscle quality may improve balance and reduce the risk of recurrent ankle injuries in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49698,"journal":{"name":"Physical Therapy in Sport","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 104-117"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144518511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}