EFFECTS OF MODIFIED STATION TRAINING ON PAIN, BALANCE, LOWER LIMB MUSCLES STRENGTH AND AGILITY IN ATHLETES WITH CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY
Abstract
Ankle sprains are a common injury in athletes and have a high recurrence rate which can develop into chronic ankle instability (CAI). This leads to decreased balance, weakened lower limb strength and impaired agility, raising the risk of re-injury and adversely affecting athletic performance. Therefore, a suitable training program is necessary for injury prevention and enhancing sports performance. This study aimed to examine the effect of modified station training on pain, balance, lower limb muscle strength, and agility in athletes with chronic ankle instability after 8 weeks of training. Methods: The participants consisted of 40 athletes from Mahasarakham University and the National Sports University, Mahasarakham Campus, aged 18–25 years. They were purposively sampled and divided equally into two groups by simple random sampling to match the groups. Group 1 was the experimental group with a modified station training program and group 2 was the control group with a normal training program. The training program lasted for 8 weeks, with training sessions conducted 3 times per week. The outcome measurements included pain score measured as the numeric rating scale (NRS), static balance using a balance & stability test, dynamic balance measured by the star excursion balance test, muscle strength was assessed using the manual muscle test (MMT) which evaluated muscle strength based on a standardized grading scale and the Illinois agility test. Results: After an 8-week training program, both groups exhibited decreases in pain and increases in static balance, dynamic balance, lower limb muscle strength, and agility (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group presented enhanced static balance, dynamic balance, and lower limb muscle strength compared to the control group. However, there was no significant improvement in pain and agility in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: The modified station training program improves physical performance in athletes with chronic ankle instability, promoting a safer and more effective return to sports.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abbasi, L., Panahi, F., Zarei-Kurdshooli, Z., & Yahya-Abadi, F. Y. (2023). The effect of perturbation training with and without applying dry needling on leg muscles in patients with chronic ankle sprain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 35, 233-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.044
Ahern, L., Nicholson, O., O'Sullivan, D., & McVeigh, J. G. (2021). Effect of functional rehabilitation on performance of the star excursion balance test among recreational athletes with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review. Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation, 3(3), 100133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2021.100133
Brown, M., Hislop, H., & Avers, D. (2013). Daniels and Worthingham's Muscle Testing-E-Book: Daniels and Worthingham's Muscle Testing-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Brydges, C. R. (2019). Effect size guidelines, sample size calculations, and statistical power in gerontology. Innovation in aging, 3(4), igz036. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz036
Chen, Y., Cao, S., Qian, L., Chen, W., Wang, C., Ma, X., Wang, X., & Huang, J. (2022). The influence of local pain on balance control in patients with chronic ankle instability. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1), 699. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05656-4
Choi, J. Y., Yoo, T., Burcal, C. J., & Rosen, A. B. (2023). Dual-task differences in individuals with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Gait & Posture, 106, 28-33. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.08.013
Cruz-Diaz, D., Lomas-Vega, R., Osuna-Pérez, M., Contreras, F., & Martínez-Amat, A. (2015). Effects of 6 weeks of balance training on chronic ankle instability in athletes: a randomized controlled trial. International journal of sports medicine, 754-760. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1398645.
Donovan, L., Hetzel, S., Laufenberg, C. R., & McGuine, T. A. (2020). Prevalence and impact of chronic ankle instability in adolescent athletes. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 8(2), 2325967119900962. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967119900962
Gribble, P. A., Delahunt, E., Bleakley, C., Caulfield, B., Docherty, C., Fourchet, F., Fong, D., Hertel, J., Hiller, C., & Kaminski, T. (2013). Selection criteria for patients with chronic ankle instability in controlled research: a position statement of the International Ankle Consortium. Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 43(8), 585-591. https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2013.0303
Guo, Y., Cheng, T., Yang, Z., Huang, Y., Li, M., & Wang, T. (2024). A systematic review and meta-analysis of balance training in patients with chronic ankle instability. Systematic reviews, 13(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02455-x
Hertel, J., & Corbett, R. O. (2019). An updated model of chronic ankle instability. Journal of Athletic Training, 54(6), 572-588. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-344-18
KALRA, S., Pal, S., Pawaria, S., & Yadav, J. (2021). Comparative Study of Wobble Board and Bosu Ball along with Strength Training on Lower Limb Strength, Dynamic Balance, Agility and Functional Performance of Runners with Lateral Ankle Instability. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 15(5). doi: 10.7860/jcdr/2021/46588.14820
Kamran, S., Nadeem, Z., Baig, M., Arif, M. A., Fayyaz, A., Ahmed, A., Zaidi, A., Khan, M., Bashar, A., & Khan, R. (2026). Prevalence and Impact of Chronic Ankle Instability Among Recreational Athletes During Amateur Sports Programs in Collegiate. Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.61919/9vtm9652
Konphet, N., & Siriphorn, A. (2024). Textured mat influence on muscle activity and balance strategies for chronic ankle instability. Human Movement, 25(4), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.5114/hm/194015
Luan, L., Adams, R., Witchalls, J., Ganderton, C., & Han, J. (2021). Does strength training for chronic ankle instability improve balance and patient-reported outcomes and by clinically detectable amounts? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physical Therapy, 101(7), pzab046. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab046
Mohammadi Nia Samakosh, H., Brito, J. P., Shojaedin, S. S., Hadadnezhad, M., & Oliveira, R. (2022). What Does Provide Better Effects on Balance, Strength, and Lower Extremity Muscle Function in Professional Male Soccer Players with Chronic Ankle Instability? Hopping or a Balance Plus Strength Intervention? A Randomized Control Study. A Randomized Control Study. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101822
Mollà-Casanova, S., Inglés, M., & Serra-Añó, P. (2021). Effects of balance training on functionality, ankle instability, and dynamic balance outcomes in people with chronic ankle instability: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(12), 1694-1709. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155211022009
Naderi, A., & Ahi, K. (2025). Comparative analysis of land-based vs. water-based balance training on quality of life and physical and psychological deficits in athletes with chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17(1), 9. https:/doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01049-3
Phuaklikhit, C., Junsri, T., Saito, S., Muraki, S., & Loh, P. Y. (2024). Biomechanical and physiological variables in dynamic and functional balance control during Single-Leg loading in individuals with chronic ankle instability: A scoping review. Sports, 12(8), 224. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12080224
Sarvestan, J., Alaei, F., Kazemi, N. S., Khial, H. P., Shirzad, E., & Svoboda, Z. (2018). Agility profile in collegiate athletes with chronic ankle sprain: the effect of Athletic and Kinesio taping among both genders. Sport Sciences for Health, 14, 407-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-018-0453-2
Setyawan, R., Setijono, H., & Kusnanik, N. W. (2021). The Effect of Floor and Swiss Ball Exercises Using Circuit Training Methods towards Balance, Strength, Flexibility and Muscle Endurance. Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 3(2), 384-395. https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v3i2.469
Seyhan, S., Acar, G., Bilici, M. F., Girginer, F. G., Bilici, O. F., & Soylu, C. (2026). Injury prevention relevance: markerless functional performance testing in athletes with chronic ankle instability to inform recurrent sprain risk screening. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01670-4
Su, Y., Li, W., Pan, C., & Shi, Y. (2024). Effects of combination of strength and balance training on postural control and functionality in people with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review and meta analysis. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00845-1
Wagemans, J., Bleakley, C., Taeymans, J., Kuppens, K., Schurz, A. P., Baur, H., & Vissers, D. (2023). Rehabilitation strategies for lateral ankle sprain do not reflect established mechanisms of re-injury: A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport, 60, 75-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.01.008
Wikstrom, E. A., Cain, M. S., Chandran, A., Song, K., Regan, T., Migel, K., & Kerr, Z. Y. (2021). Lateral ankle sprain and subsequent ankle sprain risk: a systematic review. Journal of Athletic Training, 56(6), 578-585. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-168-20
Yang, Y., Wu, Y., & Zhu, W. (2025). Recent advances in the management of chronic ankle instability. Chinese Journal of Traumatology, 28(01), 35-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjtee.2024.07.011
Yesilkir, S., & Ergezen Sahin, G. (2025). Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, balance, and conventional training for chronic ankle instability in amateur athletes: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17(1), 286. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01319-8
Young, K. L., Morris, B., & Herda, T. J. (2022). The role of strength and conditioning in the prevention and treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 44(2), 61-75. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000648
Zhang, Z., & Zhang, M. (2023). Effect of different ankle braces on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics following special-induced fatigue for volleyball players with functional ankle instability. Heliyon, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16380
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v13i7.7072
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sawittri Songsuk, Archrawadee Srijaroon
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright © 2015 - 2026. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science (ISSN 2501 - 1235) is a registered trademark of Open Access Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library (Biblioteca Nationala a Romaniei). All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms. All authors who send their manuscripts to this journal and whose articles are published on this journal retain full copyright of their articles. All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
