Occurrence of ankle instability in male football players

Background: Playing football requires many rotational movements at lowerlimbs joints i.ehip, knee, as well as ankle. This can be because of rapid rotational movements, overuse, landling, sudden jerky movements, collision with the players and many other. While playing football movements especially twisting injuries, turning and rolling of foot are more common which lead to instability.
Aims and Objectives: To identify occurrence of ankle instability in male football players using valid clinical tests and to identify the severity of functional ankle instability using CAIT questionnaire.
Materials and Methodology:
A cross sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 60 male football players between 15years-25years also male football players indulging in this sport for more than 1year of time were included in the study. Whereas participants with past history of lower limb injuries, congenital deformities, recent fractures and those involved in sports other than football which can cause ankle injury were excluded from the study. All subjects were selected by purposive type of sampling, The participants were recruited from local football clubs. All the participants who met the inclusion criteria further underwent clinical examinations in which tests determining ligament instability and postural stability were performed. Additionally a questionnaire determining severity of functional ankle instability was administered. All the above mentioned test were conducted at the football clubs itself.
Results: Occurrence of ankle instability in male football players is high.
Conclusion: The study concluded that there is high occurrence of ankle instability in male football players.