Ankle instability holds athletes back: study shows clear performance gaps

NCT ID NCT07171398

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study compared 16 athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI) to 16 healthy athletes. They performed tests like jumps, hops, and agility runs. Results showed that those with CAI jumped lower, hopped shorter distances, and were slower in agility tests. The study suggests that ankle instability significantly harms explosive and multidirectional movements important in sports.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If confirmed, these results could help coaches and therapists design better rehab programs for athletes with ankle instability.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed observational study (32 athletes) and does not test any treatment. The findings may not apply to all sports or levels of play.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

32 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2024

Finished

Aug 2024

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Thirty-two athletes (16 with chronic ankle instability, 16 healthy controls) aged 18-30 years, recruited from volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams. Participants were matched for training background and sport exposure, with both groups averaging ≥5 years of training history and ≥3 hours of weekly participation.

Ages

18 to 30 years

Sex

Male participants only

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * CAI Group: * History of at least one significant lateral ankle sprain ≥12 months prior to testing * At least 2 episodes of ankle "giving way" in the past 6 months * Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score ≤24 * Minimum of 5 years of sports participation and ≥3 hours of training per week Inclusion Criteria - Control Group: * No history of ankle sprain or ankle instability * CAIT score ≥25 * Matched to CAI group by age, sex, and sport participation * Minimum of 5 years of sports participation and ≥3 hours of training per week Exclusion Criteria: * History of fracture, surgery, or major injury in the lower extremity within the past year * Musculoskeletal injury in the knee, hip, or back in the past 3 months * Neurological or vestibular disorders affecting balance or movement * Acute ankle pain, swelling, or inflammation at time of testing * Current use of orthotics or ankle braces during performance testing * Systemic or cardiovascular disease preventing safe participation

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

ankle injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Ankle sprain Athletic performance Chronic ankle instability Functional performance deficit

Ankle instability holds athletes back: study shows clear performance gaps

What the study statuses mean