Effects of Pilates Training on Ankle Proprioception, Postural Control and Performance in Footballers With Chronic Ankle Instability

Обзор

This study aims to contribute to the effects of Pilates training on ankle proprioception, postural control, and performance in football players with chronic ankle instability. Eighty eight participants will be randomly allocated into two groups and will receive both Pilates and balance training for eight weeks. it is hypothesized that the group that will receive Pilates taring will produce greater improvements as compared to other group.

Подробное описание

Chronic ankle instability is a frequently encountered issue in footballers, characterized by repeated episodes of the ankle "giving way," resulting in functional limitations and increased risk of future injuries. Conventional rehabilitation protocols often fail to restore optimal neuromuscular control, particularly proprioceptive and postural capabilities. Given the demands of football, this deficit can significantly hinder athletic performance and increase injury susceptibility. While Pilates-based rehabilitation has shown promise in improving core strength, balance, and neuromuscular coordination, there is a paucity of research examining its role in the context of CAI. This study addresses this research gap by assessing the effectiveness of Pilates training in improving key functional deficits among footballers with CAI, potentially informing more effective and sport-specific rehabilitation strategies.

Participants will be randomized into two groups:

1. Pilates Training Group 2. Control Group Intervention The intervention will last \[insert duration 8 weeks\], with participants attending three supervised sessions per week. Each session will last 60 minutes and will be led by a qualified physical therapist experienced in Pilates and sports rehabilitation.

After the intervention period, post-intervention assessments using the same outcome tools will be conducted by the same blinded assessor under identical conditions to the baseline evaluation. Any adverse events or dropouts will be recorded throughout the study.

Group A: Pilates Intervention Group Duration: 8 weeks (3 sessions/week) Session Duration: 60 minutes per session Equipment Used: Yoga mat, resistance bands, Pilates ring, small stability ball, foam roller.

Structure of Each Session:

Phase Time Activities Warm-Up 10 min Gentle dynamic stretches and mobility exercises (e.g., neck rolls, shoulder circles, hip openers, ankle circles) Core Pilates Training 40 min - Beginner-Intermediate Mat Pilates targeting core, hips, gluts, and lower leg muscles - Sample Exercises: - Pelvic tilts - Hundred - Single-leg stretch - Shoulder bridge with ankle engagement - Side-lying leg circles - Toe taps and leg lifts with ankle focus Cool Down 10 min Static stretching, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques

Progression:

Exercises will be progressed weekly by:

* Increasing repetitions and sets * Reducing support (e.g., double leg to single leg) * Incorporating dynamic and unstable surfaces (foam pads, balance discs) Group B: Control Group Duration: 8 weeks (3 sessions/week) Session Duration: 60 minutes per session Equipment Used: Balance board, wobble disc, cones, foam pads, resistance bands.

Structure of Each Session:

Phase Time Activities Warm-Up 10 min Light jogging, ankle mobility drills, dynamic stretching Balance Training 40 min - Static and Dynamic Balance Drills: - Single-leg stance (eyes open/closed) - Wobble board balancing - Star excursion balance test practice - Tandem walking on a line - Forward/backward hops on one leg - Cone drills with reach tasks and steps up Cool Down 10 min Ankle and lower limb stretching, breathing techniques

Progression:

* Decrease base of support * Introduce perturbations (e.g., partner tapping) * Dual-task activities (catching, counting, etc.)

Вмешательства

• Другое Pilates exercises
  Duration: 8 weeks (3 sessions/week) Session Duration: 60 minutes per session Equipment Used: Yoga mat, resistance bands, Pilates ring, small stability ball, foam roller. Structure of Each Session: Phase Time Activities Warm-Up 10 min Gentle dynamic stretches and mobility exercises (e.g., neck rolls, shoulder circles, hip openers, ankle circles) Core Pilates Training 40 min - Beginner-Intermediate Mat Pilates targeting core, hips, gluts, and lower leg muscles - Sample Exercises: - Pelvic tilts
• Другое Balance exercises
  Group B: Control Group Duration: 8 weeks (3 sessions/week) Session Duration: 60 minutes per session Equipment Used: Balance board, wobble disc, cones, foam pads, resistance bands. Structure of Each Session: Phase Time Activities Warm-Up 10 min Light jogging, ankle mobility drills, dynamic stretching Balance Training 40 min - Static and Dynamic Balance Drills: - Single-leg stance (eyes open/closed) - Wobble board balancing - Star excursion balance test practice - Tandem walking on a line - Forw

Первичные конечные точки

• Postural control [Срок оценки: Base line before intervention after 8 weeks post intervention]
• ankle proprioception [Срок оценки: Baseline: Before intervention 8 weeks post-intervention]
• performance [Срок оценки: base line before intervention and 8 weeks post intervention]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

Male footballers aged 22-35

• History of unilateral ankle sprain in past 12 months
• Inability to bear weight post-injury
• CAIT score < 24
• Minimum of 1-year experience in football

Критерии исключения

• Bilateral ankle sprains
• Lower limb fractures or surgeries
• Neurological conditions (e.g., MS, CMT, Stroke)

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Нет

Дизайн исследования

Распределение

Рандомизированное

Модель

Параллельные группы

Маскирование

Простое слепое

Основная цель

Лечение

Центры проведения

Список центров уточняется — проверьте первичный протокол.

Публикации

• Ghorbani M, Yaali R, Sadeghi H, Granacher U. Effects of Pilates Exercise Training on Static Balance and Lower Limbs Proprioception in Adult Females With and Without Flexible Flatfeet. Foot Ankle Spec. 2026 Apr;19(2):196-205. doi: 10.1177/19386400241279930. Epub 2024 Sep 26. PMID 39324770
• Zhang C, Chen N, Wang J, Zhang Z, Jiang C, Chen Z, Fang J, Peng J, Li W, Song B. The Prevalence and Characteristics of Chronic Ankle Instability in Elite Athletes of Different Sports: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 16;11(24):7478. doi: 10.3390/jcm11247478. PMID 36556094
• Alghadir AH, Iqbal ZA, Iqbal A, Ahmed H, Ramteke SU. Effect of Chronic Ankle Sprain on Pain, Range of Motion, Proprioception, and Balance among Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 23;17(15):5318. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17155318. PMID 32718066
• Ziaei Ziabari E, Haghpanahi M, Razi M, Lubberts B, Ashkani-Esfahani S, DiGiovanni CW. The Effects of Chronic Ankle Instability on the Biomechanics of the Uninjured, Contralateral Ankle During Gait. Orthop Surg. 2022 Sep;14(9):2238-2244. doi: 10.1111/os.13307. Epub 2022 Jul 19. PMID 35852096

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07266649 · UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/020

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

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