Effects of Synchronous Whole Body Vibration Training on a Soft, Unstable Surface in Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week WBV training program, performed on a soft, unstable surface, on peak torque, reaction time and the electrical activity of ankle muscles in recreational athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). 50 recreational athletes with self-reported unilateral CAI were randomly assigned to a vibration group (VIB), non-vibration group (N-VIB) or control group. The VIB and N-VIB groups performed unilateral balance training on the unstable ankle on a BOSU® Balance Trainer 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. The VIB group trained on a vibration platform, and the N-VIB group trained on the floor. Muscle reaction times and electrical activity of the peroneus brevis (PB), peroneus longus (PL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were assessed in response to sudden inversion, isokinetic peak torque and isokinetic strength ratios of the ankle evertor muscles. After 6 weeks of training, a significant improvement was shown in reaction times of the PB (Pre=60.99±9.17 ms, Post1=54.90±6.99 ms, p=0.003), PL (Pre=61.20±10.72 ms, Post1=55.21±9.04 ms, p=0.007) and TA (Pre=65.31±11.78 ms, Post1=59.07±9.99 ms, p=0.007) muscles in the VIB group, whereas no significant changes were found in the N-VIB group or the control group. There were no significant changes in electrical activity, peak torque and eccentric-concentric ratio for any of the groups after training. In conclusion, a 6-week WBV training program on a soft, unstable surface improves the reaction times of the PB, PL and TA muscles in recreational athletes with CAI. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02794194

Comparison of Recent Studies on Rehabilitation of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review

“…All selected studies were conducted in participants who met the IAC recommendations for CAI. 11,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Allowing duplicate counts of intervention type resulted in 15 articles using dynamic balance training (DBT) 11,14-27 , 4 articles using strength training (ST) 11,[14][15][16] , and 4 articles using mixed type. [28][29][30][31] The mixed interventions included functional activity, range of motion (ROM), strength, balance, and neuromuscular training.…”

“…11,[14][15][16] There was also controversy about the effectiveness of using an unstable support surface, vibration, or sensory-targeted ankle rehabilitation strategies (mobilization, massage, and stretching) in the balance exercise protocol. [17][18][19]22,23,31 In the selected studies, CAIT, FAAM, global rating of as most of the selected studies measured intervention effectiveness immediately after exercise, the long-term effects were not known for certain. 11,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]19,20,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]31 The selected studies were not homogeneous in exercise method, intervention period, and outcome variables, excluding the criteria for selecting CAI participants.…”

“…whole-body vibration, sensory targeted ankle rehabilitation strategies, and unstable surfaces. [16][17][18]22,[27][28] There was one study comparing the effects of exercise on functionally unstable ankles and functionally stable ankles. 29 All studies described a method of random allocation and did random sequence generation (low risk of bias).…”

“…29 All studies described a method of random allocation and did random sequence generation (low risk of bias). 11,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] In most studies, except for one, outcome assessment was double blinded and complete outcome data was provided (low risk of bias). 11,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]…”

“…function (GRF), star excursion balance test (SEBT), foot lift test, hop test, kinetics, and kinematic were used dependent variables 11,[14][15][16][17][18]20,[22][23][24][26][27][28][29][30]…”