LE3 .A278 2014

2014

King, Colin

Acadia University

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Honours

Kinesiology

Kinesiology

Ankle sprains are an extremely common injury in recreational sports, professional sports, leisure activity, and everyday life (Ivins, 2006). From previous research, ankle sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury overall and are the second most common injury in sports. In the United States, ankle sprains are the most common among collegiate athletes (Fong et al., 2009). There are multiple factors - both external and internal - that may increase or decrease the likelihood of having an ankle sprain (Fong et al., 2009). If these risk factors are observable or measurable, they may be used to decrease or prevent ankle injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine possible internal and external risk factors of ankle injuries in varsity soccer and rugby players. The internal risk factors being examined were previous ankle injury, gender, and leg dominance. The external risk factors being examined were cleat type, playing surface, and taping or bracing used. Student athletes playing for the Acadia University female soccer and rugby, and male soccer and rugby teams were recruited for this study. Participants were asked to fill out an initial online questionnaire regarding possible risk factors prior to the beginning of the season. Ankle injuries were self-reported. Participants who experienced an ankle injury they were asked to complete a secondary post-injury questionnaire. Possible risk factors for ankle injuries were evaluated. The findings showed that previous ankle injury can be considered to be a predictive risk factor of ankle sprain incidence. Those who taped their ankles during practice also appeared to be a predictive factor of ankle sprain. Risk factors that were not significant predictors of ankle sprain in this study include playing surface, taping during games, bracing during games and practices, gender, leg dominance and cleat type.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:1137