COMPARISON OF RISK FACTORS FOR ANKLE SPRAINS IN KARATE PLAYERS WITH OR WITHOUT ANKLE SPRAINS

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare risk factors of ankle sprains in karate players with and without ankle sprain. Materials and Method: Community based cross sectional study was conducted on fifty karate players, 25 players with history of ankle sprains and 25 players without history of ankle sprains. The karate players were recruited from various Karate institutes across Mumbai, Maharashtra. The subjects were evaluated and compared for Body Mass Index (BMI), balance using Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) , Range of Motion using goniometer, Ankle Strength using Manual Muscle Testing and Ankle joint position sense in players with and without ankle sprains. Results: The mean values of right ankle range of motion, ankle strength and ankle joint position sense and the normalized reach distance percentages for SEBT showed no significant difference in players with and without ankle sprain. The mean values for left ankle dorsiflexion range of motion showed a significant difference in players with and without ankle sprain where p<0.05. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study it can be concluded that the intrinsic risk factors for ankle sprain considered for this study like impaired balance, reduced ankle strength, reduced range of motion and affected joint position sense were not significantly different in karate players with and without ankle sprain and dorsiflexion range of motion in left leg was significantly different among the karate players with and without ankle sprain