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Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with motor-behavioral and sensory-perceptual impairments, including reduced balance performance, hip strength, and ankle function, and increased disablement, and injury-related fear. Progressive balance training (BAL) and hip strengthening (HIP) can both improve balance and function, but their comparative effects are unknown. Our objective was to compare the effects of progressive BAL and HIP on balance, hip strength, and patient-reported outcomes in those with CAI. Methods: Forty-five individuals with CAI volunteered for this randomized control study. Participants were randomly allocated to BAL, HIP, and control (CON) groups (n = 15 per group). BAL and HIP each participated in 8-week interventions while CON did not. Participants' involved limbs underwent testing of patient-reported outcomes (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [FAAM-ADL, FAAM-S], modified Disablement in the Physically Active Scale [mDPA], Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 [TSK-11], Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire [FABQ], and Self-Efficacy of Balance Scale [SEBS]), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and isometric hip strength (extension [EXT], abduction [ABD], and external rotation [ER]) before and after the intervention. Multiple imputation was used for missing data. Multivariate repeated-measures analyses of variance analyzed effects of the interventions. Results: A significant group × time interaction existed for psychosocial outcomes (P =.008), but not for balance (P =.159), strength (P =.492), or ankle function and disability (P =.128). Time main effects existed for balance (P =.003), strength (P <.001), function and disability (P <.001), and psychosocial outcomes (P =.006). BAL significantly improved in SEBT, EXT, ABD, and all patient-reported outcomes. HIP significantly improved in EXT, ABD, ER, FAAM-S, mDPA, FABQ, and SEBS. Conclusions: Balance training and hip strengthening can both improve motor-behavioral and sensory-perceptual impairments in individuals with CAI; however, balance training remains the most effective option for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-time-loss ankle sprains often receive less care than time-loss (TL) ankle sprains, but the effect of TL on persistent impairments needs to be explored. Our purpose was to compare patient-reported outcomes between athletes with non-time-loss and TL ankle sprains at return to activity and 6-month postinjury. Participants with a non-time-loss ankle sprain had worse patient-reported outcome scores at return to activity and 6 months compared with TL ankle sprains despite having less severe injuries. Greater than 24 hr of activity restriction following an acute ankle sprain is likely beneficial to the recovery of perceived function and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]