Effects of Balance Training on Ankle Stability and Function in Female Adolescent Basketball Players with Chronic Ankle Instability

OBJECTIVES This study investigated the effects of a 6-week balance training program on ankle stability and function in female adolescent basketball players with chronic ankle instability (CAI).METHODS Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a balance training group (BG; n = 15) or a control group (CG; n = 15). Following the exclusion of dropouts, 28 participants (BG: n = 14, CG: n = 14) were included in the final analysis. The BG performed a progressive balance training program three times per week for 6 weeks, while the CG continued their regular basketball training. Ankle stability and function were assessed using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), joint position sense (JPS), the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), center of pressure ellipse area (COP ellipse area), and the Figure-8 hop test. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine group × time interaction effects.RESULTS The BG demonstrated significantly greater improvements in CAIT scores, SEBT, and Figure-8 hop test performance compared to the CG (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with large effect sizes. The COP ellipse area showed a tendency toward improvement only in the BG. No significant group × time interaction was observed for JPS.CONCLUSIONS A 6-week balance training program effectively improved ankle stability, dynamic balance, and functional performance in female adolescent basketball players with CAI. These findings suggest that balance training is a practical and effective intervention for improving ankle stability and function in this population.