Passive Stability Characteristics of Ankle Braces and Tape in Simulated Barefoot and Shod Conditions

/Home/Chiropractic Use of Supports and Braces

Passive Stability Characteristics of Ankle Braces and Tape in Simulated Barefoot and Shod Conditions
First published on November 7, 2006
This version was published on February 1, 2007
Eric Eils, PhD,*, Simone Imberge, Klaus Vàlker, MD and Dieter Rosenbaum, PhD
The American Journal of Sports Medicine

© 2007 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

From the Funktionsbereich Bewegungsanalytik (Movement Analysis Lab), Orthopaedic Department, University Hospital M?nster, M?nster, Germany, and the Institute of Sports Medicine, University Hospital M?nster, M?nster, Germany

* Address correspondence to Eric Eils, PhD, Funktionsbereich Bewegungsanalytik (Movement Analysis Lab), Klinik und Poliklinik f?r Allgemeine Orthopâdie, University Hospital M?nster, Domagkstr 3, 48129 M?nster, Germany (e-mail: eils@uni-muenster.de or diro@unimuenster.de).


Background: Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries in barefoot sport activities such as dance, gymnastics, or trampoline. At present, the use of external ankle devices for prevention of ligament injuries for barefoot activities remains unclear.

Hypothesis: External ankle devices have a significant loss of passive stability when used without a shoe in barefoot activities.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in the project (mean age, 26.2 ± 3.3 years; mean body mass, 71.2 ± 10.3 kg; mean height, 178 ± 7 cm). Passive range of motion measurements were performed with 3 different ankle stabilizers (a stirrup brace, a lace-up brace, and tape), as well as 2 different shoe conditions (cutout shoe [simulated barefoot] and normal shoe).

Results: In the simulated barefoot condition, a significantly reduced stabilizing effect for inversion and eversion (19% and 29%, respectively) was found for the stirrup ankle brace. Small decreases were noted with the soft brace and tape, but these were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The passive stability characteristics of ankle braces depend to a great extent on being used in combination with a shoe. This is especially true for semirigid braces with stirrup design. Therefore, it is recommended that soft braces (like the one tested in the present investigation) be used in barefoot sports for restricting passive range of motion of the foot and ankle complex.

Clinical Relevance: This study provides useful information for clinicians to select or recommend an external ankle stabilizing device in barefoot sports to restrict passive range of motion of the foot-ankle complex most effectively.

Key Words: ankle brace Ô ankle injuries Ô prevention and rehabilitation Ô range of motion

You can view the abstract online. A subscription is required to view the full text or it can be purchased online.