As a high school football coach, I’ve noticed a concerning number of ankle sprains sidelining our players. Is this a common issue, and what steps can we take to address it?
Research indicates that ankle injuries represent 10 to 30 percent of all sports-related injuries. While basketball players experience the highest rate of ankle sprains compared to soccer and football athletes, they are also more prone to re-injury.
Physiotherapists and athletic trainers have been actively investigating this problem, seeking out the risk factors associated with ankle sprains. Once these factors are identified, targeted training programs can be developed to minimize the likelihood of such injuries.
Several studies utilizing force plate technology have established a connection between poor standing balance and the occurrence of ankle sprains. In male athletes, being overweight is another significant risk factor. For those who have previously sprained an ankle, the risk of reinjury is even higher, particularly if they are overweight. Additionally, football linemen with a high body mass index (BMI) are more susceptible to leg injuries.
At present, improving balance while standing on one leg appears to be a promising preventive measure. Although weight loss in football players may help reduce ankle injuries, it could potentially increase the risk of injury to other areas of the body. More research is needed to fully understand this balance.
Reference: Malachy P. McHugh, PhD, et al. Risk Factors for Noncontact Ankle Sprains in High School Athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. March 2006. Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 464-470.