Six weeks of strength and proprioception training does not affect muscle fatigue and static balance in functional ankle instability

Context: The combined effects of strength and proprioception training, especially in individuals with ankle instability, have not been studied extensively.

Objective: To examine the influence of 6 weeks of strength and proprioception training on measures of muscle fatigue and static balance in those with unilateral functional ankle instability (FAI).

Design: Pretest-posttest, randomized groups.

Setting: A climate-controlled sports-medicine research laboratory.

Subjects: 38 subjects with self-reported unilateral FAI.

Measurements: Muscle fatigue was determined using the median power frequency (f ) from an electromyographic signal, and static balance was assessed using center-of-pressure values obtained from a triaxial force plate.

Results: There were no significant effects of the strength or proprioception training on our measures of muscle fatigue and static balance.

Conclusions: Strength training, proprioception training, and the combination of the 2 failed to improve postural-stability characteristics in a group of subjects with FAI.