Postural stability for taekwondo athletes with repetitive ankle sprains during a single-leg stance

Effects of Swedish Massage at Different Times of the Day on Dynamic and Static Balance in Taekwondo Athletes

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of different durations of Swedish massage on the static and dynamic balance at different times of the day in taekwondo athletes. Twelve taekwondo athletes who had been practicing on a regular basis for more than 5 years participated in this study. Taekwondo athletes completed static and dynamic balance tests either after a no-massage protocol (NMP), a five-minute massage protocol (5MMP), a ten-minute massage protocol (10MMP), or a fifteen-minute massage protocol (15MMP) two times a day in the morning (08:00-12:00) and in the evening (16:00-20:00), on non-consecutive days. The findings of this study suggest that the duration of the massage has a discernible impact on dynamic balance, particularly with regard to the right foot. Taekwondo athletes who received a 10MMP or 15MMP displayed significantly improved dynamic balance compared to those in the NMP. Importantly, these improvements were independent of the time of day when the massages were administered. It underscores the potential benefits of incorporating short-duration Swedish massages into taekwondo athletes' pre-competition routines to enhance dynamic balance. These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating short-duration Swedish massages into taekwondo athletes' pre-competition routines to enhance dynamic balance, a critical component of their performance, regardless of the time of day.

Postural Control Deficits During Static Single-leg Stance in Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Postural control deficits arising from injured ankles are central to chronic ankle instability (CAI) and its persistent symptoms. This is usually measured by recording the center of pressure (CoP) trajectory during static single-leg stance using a stable force plate. However, existing studies have produced conflicting results on whether this mode of measurement adequately reveals the postural deficits in CAI.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether postural control during static single-leg stance is impaired in CAI patients when compared with uninjured healthy controls.

DATA SOURCES

Literature databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, were searched from inception to April 1, 2022, using ankle-, injury-, and posture-related terms.

STUDY SELECTION

Two authors independently performed the step-by-step screening of article titles, abstracts, and full texts to select peer-reviewed studies investigating CoP trajectory during static single-leg stance using a stable force plate in CAI patients and healthy controls. A total of 13,637 studies were reviewed, and 38 studies (0.003%) met the selection criteria.

STUDY DESIGN

Meta-analyses of descriptive epidemiological study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

DATA EXTRACTION

CoP parameters, sway directions, visual condition, and numerical data (means and standard deviations) were extracted.

RESULTS

The injured ankles of CAI patients had higher standard deviations of sway amplitude in both anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.36 and 0.31, respectively) under conditions of open eyes than controls. Higher mean sway velocity in anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and total directions (SMD = 0.41, 0.37, and 0.45, respectively) with closed eyes was also found.

CONCLUSION

CAI patients had deficits of postural control during static single-leg stance, and these deficits were identified by the CoP trajectory. Further methodological explorations of CoP parameters and corresponding test conditions are required to enhance the sensitivity and reliability of postural deficit assessments in CAI using force plates.

Acute Effects of Vibration Foam Rolling Warm-Up on Jump and Flexibility Asymmetry, Agility and Frequency Speed of Kick Test Performance in Taekwondo Athletes

The effect of asymmetry on flexibility and jump in taekwondo athletes and the influence of vibration foam rolling on asymmetry and frequency speed of kick test has not been examined. This study examined the effects of three warm-up protocols on subsequent sports performance in elite male taekwondo athletes. Fifteen elite male taekwondo athletes (20.63 ± 1.18 years) completed three warm-up protocols in a randomized order: general warm-up [GW], GW with vibration foam rolling [GW + VR], and GW with double VR for the weaker leg [GW + double VR]), was delivered before the subsequent tests: flexibility, single-leg countermovement jump (CMJ), 505 agility, hexagon test, and multiple frequency speed of kick tests (FSKTs). Relative to GW, the GW + VR significantly improved the hexagon test (GW + VR = 11.60 ± 1.01 s; GW = 12.80 ± 1.58 s). In addition, the GW + VR and GW + double VR yielded greater kick numbers in FSKT 5 (GW + VR = 21.13 ± 1.96 reps; GW + double VR = 20.93 ± 1.67 reps; GW = 19.27 ± 1.62 reps) and a higher kick decrement index (GW + VR = 5.45 ± 2.57%; GW + double VR = 5.88 ± 3.22%; GW = 9.54 ± 5.00%). However, the GW + VR and GW + double VR did not significantly improve the flexibility and CMJ asymmetry performance. The GW + VR is more beneficial for warming up than the GW is among male collegiate taekwondo athletes.

The effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization rehabilitation exercise on range of motion, isokinetic strength, and balance in chronic ankle instability taekwondo players

We aimed to investigate change the instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) rehabilitation exercise on range of motion (ROM), isokinetic ankle strength, and balance. We included 20 elite taekwondo players (chronic ankle instability) in Korea. They were divided into the IASTM group (n=10), control group (n=10). IASTM group were exercised with IASTM rehabilitation exercise four times per week for 8 weeks. The remaining control group did not receive exercise intervention between tests and served as the control. A goniometer was used to measure dorsi-flexion (D/F), plantar-flexion (P/F), a dynamometer was used to measure ankle isokinetic strength, and plantar foot pressure was used to measure static balance. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in IASTM group and control group: ROM (right P/F, P<0.001; right D/F, P<0.01; left P/F, P<0.000; left D/F, P<0.000), isokinetic strength (right P/F 60°, P<0.000; right D/F 60°, P<0.000; left P/F 60°, P<0.000; left D/F 60°, P<0.000; right P/F 180°, P<0.000; right D/F 180°, P<0.000; left: P/F 180°, P<0.000, left D/F 180°, P<0.000), and balance test (static eye open, P<0.000; static eye close, P<0.000; postural stability, P<0.041). These results suggest that IASTM rehabilitation exercise improves ankle stability, muscle power, and body balance in chronic ankle instability taekwondo players.

Effect of Plyometric versus Ankle Stability Exercises on Lower Limb Biomechanics in Taekwondo Demonstration Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability

Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of plyometric and ankle stability exercises on the dynamic balance and lower limb kinematic and kinetic parameters of Taekwondo demonstration athletes with functional ankle instability. Methods: Fourteen subjects participated in this study and were randomly divided into two groups: a plyometric exercise group (n = 7) and an ankle stability exercise group (n = 7). Exercises were performed twice a week for 8 weeks. A Y-balance test was used to measure dynamic balance, and a motion analysis system and force plate were used to collect kinematic and kinetic parameters during single-leg drop landing. A paired t-test was used for intragroup comparisons, and an independent t-test was used for intergroup comparisons. Results: In both groups, exercise increased dynamic balance and shock absorption and reduced postural sway on the anteroposterior displacement (p < 0.05). The plyometric exercise group decreased their ankle dorsiflexion and increased their knee and hip joint flexion at maximum knee flexion (p < 0.05). In contrast, the stability exercise increased their ankle plantar flexion at initial contact (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The plyometric exercise group altered their landing strategies using their knee and hip joints to control ankle instability at landing. This study suggests that the application of plyometric exercises in ankle rehabilitation would improve stability and shock absorption and help prevent injuries during Taekwondo demonstrations.