Effects of Ankle Compression Garments on Fatigue and Single-Leg Balance in Collegiate Basketball Players

Abstract

Basketball players are prone to ankle injuries. It is unclear if wearing ankle compression garments (CGs) can enhance balance control and time to fatigue in those athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of ankle CGs on both time to fatigue and single-leg balance. Sixteen Division II (D2) collegiate basketball players participated in the study. The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) was used to assess ankle stability. Fatigue was induced through deficit heel raises, and single-leg balance was assessed with the Athletic Single Leg Stability Test (ASLST) of the Biodex Balance System. Ten out of 16 (62.5%) basketball players were classified as having chronic ankle instability (CAI). Wearing CGs did not significantly prolong the time to fatigue (P = .774), and participants with CAI and without CAI had a similar time to fatigue (P = .958). In addition, wearing CGs significantly worsened single-leg balance before fatigue (P = .021), but enhanced balance control after fatigue (P = .027). Results indicate a strong prevalence of CAI in collegiate basketball players, and wearing CGs may not be able to enhance single-leg balance before fatigue. Although participants who wore CGs did not significantly increase their time to fatigue, their single-leg balance significantly improved after fatigue. This finding suggests wearing ankle CGs may have the potential to remediate the impact of fatigue on balance control. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to further examine the impact of wearing ankle CGs on fatigue and single-leg balance.

Keywords: Chronic ankle instability; balance; basketball; compression garment.

Figure 1

Outlines the experimental procedures from IRB approval to data collection. IRB = Institutional Review Board; ASLST = Athletic Single-limb Stance Test

Figure 2

The Athletic Single Limb Stance Test on the Biodex Balance System. The participants were able to utilize visual feedback from the monitor in order to maintain their Center of Gravity on the platform.

Figure 3

The fatigue protocol. The participants were allowed to touch the support to gain proprioceptive feedback for balance control. A metronome provided a standardized cadence for the heel raises. The ankle compression garment is pictured here on the participant’s right ankle.

Figure 4

Time to fatigue (min) is demonstrated in those with and without CAI. CG status is noted by the bar graph colors (red = no CG). The error bars exemplify 1 standard deviation. CAI = Chronic Ankle Instability; CG = Compression Garment

Figure 5

Pre-fatigue Biodex stability scores are denoted on the y-axis, while CAI conditions are noted on the x-axis. CG status is determined by the color of the bar (red = no CG). The error bars represent 1 standard deviation. CAI = Chronic Ankle Instability; CG = Compression Garment

Figure 6

Post-fatigue Biodex Stability scores are denoted on the y-axis, with the x-axis representing the CAI condition. CG status is determined by the color of the bar graph (red = no CG). The error bars represent 1 standard deviation. CAI = Chronic Ankle Instability; CG = Compression Garment