Ankle instability in football players

Abstract

Ankle sprains are a common injury in football, accounting for 11% of the total injuries sustained by football players (Woods et al., 2003). This study aims to determine the prevalence of ankle sprains and ankle instability in a football playing population. This study also aims to analyse the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that could contribute to ankle instability. By identifying these risk factors, preventative measures could be developed to effectively manage the extent of ankle instability in the football playing population (Fousekis et al., 2012). This correlational study was conducted through the use of an online questionnaire, consisting of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (IdFAI) tool aimed at identifying ankle instability (Docherty et al., 2012). This questionnaire was distributed to the University of Malta student population via the University’s internal webmail. Statistical analysis was then performed to view whether a significant relationship between the various risk factors and ankle instability could be found. Results obtained were affected by a number of limitations including the low response rate leading to a small sample population, preventing the results obtained from being representative of the broader Maltese football playing population. 53% of the sample population was suffering from ankle instability, while history of previous ankle sprains was the only risk factor that was found to significantly increase the risk of ankle instability. The sensitivity of the IdFAI tool to ankle instability (p-value=2.35383e-06) was ascertained in this study. Future studies could aim to explore the effect of these risk factors on ankle instability in a football playing population, using the same tool but changing the methodology.