A: Yes, wearing ankle braces, particularly soft, lace-up ones, can be an effective way to prevent ankle sprains, especially in high-risk sports like basketball. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) examined the effectiveness of lace-up ankle braces in preventing ankle sprains among high school basketball players. The study involved 1,460 athletes during the 2009-2010 season, who were randomly assigned to either wear a brace or not.
Here’s what the study found:
The study’s authors concluded that lace-up ankle braces are an effective tool for reducing ankle injuries in high school basketball players and likely other athletes as well. They suggest that future research should explore the effectiveness of different types of braces, compare bracing with neuromuscular training programs, and investigate the trend toward other types of lower extremity injuries.
Reference: Timothy A. McGuine, PhD, ATC, et al. The Effect of Lace-Up Ankle Braces on Injury Rates in High School Basketball Players. In The American Journal of Sports Medicine. September 2011. Vol. 39. No. 9. Pp. 1840-1848.