Relationship of Chronic Ankle Instability With Foot Alignment and Dynamic Postural Stability in Adolescent Competitive Athletes

Background:Competitive adolescent athletes should be aware of the early signs of chronic ankle instability (CAI) and the con-nection between the condition and performance.Purpose:To investigate whether CAI is related to foot alignment and morphology as well as dynamic postural stability after a jump landing among adolescent competitive athletes with and without a history of a lateral ankle sprain and CAI.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Between July 2020 and August 2021, adolescent competitive athletes (N = 85; n = 49 boys; n = 36 girls) were classified into 3 groups using Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) scores: healthy athletes (n = 55), coper athletes (n = 19), and athletes with CAI (n = 11). Results of foot alignment assessments involving the leg-heel angle (LHA) and navicular height, intrinsic foot muscle morphology, dynamic postural stability index (DPSI), and other parameters were compared among the 3 groups. The relationship between the CAIT score and the LHA and dynamic postural stability and instability were examined using multiple linearregression. Results:Compared with the healthy group, the CAI group had a significantly greater LHA (8.73 degrees 63.22 degrees vs 6.09 degrees 63.26 degrees;P\.05), higher DPSI (0.33660.046 vs 0.29860.035), and higher vertical stability index (0.30360.048 vs 0.26460.037;P\.05 forall). Multiple regression analysis showed that the LHA (b=20.228;P= .033) and DPSI (b=20.240;P= .025) were significantlyassociated with the CAIT score .Conclusion: Valgus rearfoot alignment and poorer dynamic postural control were associated with CAI among adolescent athletes.