Do ankle braces affect functional performance?

You are invited to take part in a research study about the effects of ankle braces on performance. We are interested to know whether the use of 2 types of ankle brace affects functional performance in people with and without chronic ankle instability.

You have been invited to participate in this study because either you had a significant ankle sprain in the past and may have chronic ankle instability or, you have never sprained your ankle. This Participant Information Statement tells you about the research study. Knowing what is involved will help you decide if you want to take part in the research. Please read this sheet carefully and ask questions about anything that you don’t understand or want to know more about.

You should note that one of the braces has been provided free by the manufacturer for this study, but the manufacturer has no influence on the conduct or reporting of this study. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire that serves as a screening to see whether you are eligible for the study or not. Then you will complete 2 questionnaires. One asking some personal questions (such as age, weight and height) and questions about your ankle sprain history, and another to rate the level of difficulty in performing usual daily activities (such as squatting, running and hopping). Your ankle movement will be tested with an arthrometer. You will then undergo a series of tests (balance, hopping, running, jumping) and respond to questions about how your ankle feels during these tests. These tests will be repeated with each brace and a no brace condition. The type of brace will be concealed from you during testing.

People who had a significant ankle sprain, aged between 18 and 65 years old, with at least 2 episodes of feeling of instability on the injured ankle (feeling that the ankle gives way) in the past 6 months, score ≤24 on the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), and proficient in English to be able to complete the questionnaires.

Or people who have never sprained an ankle; aged between 18 and 65 years old, score ≥27 on the CAIT, and proficient in English.

People who cannot take part in this study are those who have had musculoskeletal surgery to either leg, a leg fracture requiring surgery, acute injury of the leg in the past 3 months, or a vestibular disorder or neurological disease, that affects balance or hopping.