Ankle brace does not infl uence strenght and functional balance of ankle muscles over an exercise at the intensity of basketball game

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of an exercise at the intensity of basketball game and use of ankle brace on isokinetic peak torque (PT) of ankle’s stabilizing muscles and evertor eccentric/invertor concentric functional ratio. Seventeen male basketball players, performed a test at the intensity of basketball game, under two conditions: with and without ankle brace. The test consisted of succession typical physical efforts of basketball game, distributed equally in four periods of 10 min each. Muscle strength and functional ratio were assessed at 120 deg.s-1, before (Pre), at half time (Half time) and after exercise (Pos). Isokinetic data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA (2x3) (p < 0.05). In both conditions concentric and eccentric invertor PT, respectively, decreased (p < 0.05) when compared: Pre vs. Half time (-10.1% and -8.4%); Pre vs. Pos (-17.7% and -16.4%); Half time vs. Pos (-8.4% and -8.9%). Differently, concentric and eccentric evertor PT, respectively, reduced (p < 0.05) only when compared: Pre vs. Half time (-14.4% and -12.0); Pre vs. Pos (-15.1% and -15.2%). There was no signifi cant difference between conditions for PT and functional ratio (p > 0.05). These fi ndings show that fatigue induced by exercise at the intensity of basketball game decreased PT with no change in the muscle balance over the ankle. Furthermore, the use of brace did not affect the ankle muscles’ ability to generate dynamic torque nor ankle’s functional balance. These results, suggest that athletes might have increased risk of ankle injury in the basketball game due to fatigue and the use of ankle brace would not be detrimental to ankle muscle strength during a basketball game.