Ankle braces do prevent injuries
Source: Agencies |
August 16, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE ankle braces many basketball players strap on to prevent injuries may actually work, according to a study of teenage basketball players.
Of the nearly 1,500 basketball players followed for a season, those assigned to wear ankle braces during games and practice were 68 percent less likely to suffer an ankle sprain or fracture, the authors wrote in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
"Ankle braces could be a cost-effective way to prevent ankle injuries in basketball players, but they are not a panacea," according to Timothy McGuine, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who led the study. "There are advertising claims that they will do wonderful things," he said.
However, there have been concerns that limiting the ankle's mobility with a brace could set basketball players up for knee injuries.
But the study, which looked at the effects of "lace-up" ankle braces - made of synthetic fabric and secured with -Velcro - found no evidence of higher knee-injury risks.
Of the 740 players randomly assigned to wear lace-up ankle braces, 27 sprained or broke an ankle over one basketball season. In contrast, there were 78 ankle injuries among the 720 teenagers who played and practiced brace-free.
That translated to an injury rate of just under 0.5 for every 1,000 practice sessions and games in the brace group. The rate in the brace-free group was about three times higher, at 1.4 per 1,000.
McGuine said it is likely modern footwear does not put the knee at risk.
Of the nearly 1,500 basketball players followed for a season, those assigned to wear ankle braces during games and practice were 68 percent less likely to suffer an ankle sprain or fracture, the authors wrote in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
"Ankle braces could be a cost-effective way to prevent ankle injuries in basketball players, but they are not a panacea," according to Timothy McGuine, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who led the study. "There are advertising claims that they will do wonderful things," he said.
However, there have been concerns that limiting the ankle's mobility with a brace could set basketball players up for knee injuries.
But the study, which looked at the effects of "lace-up" ankle braces - made of synthetic fabric and secured with -Velcro - found no evidence of higher knee-injury risks.
Of the 740 players randomly assigned to wear lace-up ankle braces, 27 sprained or broke an ankle over one basketball season. In contrast, there were 78 ankle injuries among the 720 teenagers who played and practiced brace-free.
That translated to an injury rate of just under 0.5 for every 1,000 practice sessions and games in the brace group. The rate in the brace-free group was about three times higher, at 1.4 per 1,000.
McGuine said it is likely modern footwear does not put the knee at risk.
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