Effects of balance and plyometric training on balance control among individuals with functional ankle instability

Introduction. This study aimed to compare the effects of balance and plyometric training on balance control among individuals with functional ankle instability (FAI). Methods. Overall, 20 individuals with FAI, classified in balance (n = 10) and plyometric (n = 10) training groups, participated in the study. Testing variables included standard deviations and ranges of centre of pressure in mediolateral (ML-COPsd/MLCOPr) and anteroposterior (AP-COPsd/AP-COPr) directions during single-legged stance with eyes open and closed, times to stabilization of ground reaction force in mediolateral (ML-TTS) and anteroposterior (AP-TTS) directions during step-down, and reach distances in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions from the modified Star Excursion Balance Test. Results. When comparing between the groups, the plyometric training group exhibited a significant reduction of ML-COPsd with eyes open after 6 weeks of training (p = 0.004) and shorter ML-TTS and AP-TTS after 4 weeks (p = 0.009 and p = 0.007) and 6 weeks (p = 0.011 and p = 0.029) of training. For within-group comparison, the plyometric training group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in all testing variables, whereas the balance training group presented improvement only in the reach distances. Conclusions. Plyometric training provided benefits in both static and dynamic balances for individuals with FAI.