{"id":26134,"date":"2025-10-20T12:00:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T10:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.physiotutors.com\/?post_type=research&p=26134"},"modified":"2025-12-12T11:39:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T10:39:59","slug":"exercise-for-chronic-ankle-instability","status":"publish","type":"research","link":"https:\/\/www.physiotutors.com\/research\/exercise-for-chronic-ankle-instability\/","title":{"rendered":"Exercise for Chronic Ankle Instability: Best Practices, Duration & Most Effective Techniques"},"featured_media":26135,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"featured-tag":[],"tracking_tag":[],"class_list":["post-26134","research","type-research","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"free_access":"unfree","app_link":"https:\/\/app.physiotutors.com\/research-reviews\/exercise-for-chronic-ankle-instability","sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"page-header-small","background":{"background_image":26135,"background_image_alt_text":""},"heading":"Exercise for Chronic Ankle Instability: Best Practices, Duration & Most Effective Techniques","subheading":"Zhang (2025)","benefits":[{"benefit":"This meta-analysis investigated the best exercise modalities for chronic instability management. "},{"benefit":"The researchers found that an exercise-based rehabilitation program lasting more than 4 weeks had significantly greater results than no intervention or short-term intervention. "},{"benefit":"Strength training, proprioceptive training and joint mobilization were found to be the most effective treatment approach."}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","background_color":"none","content_alignment":"left","content_editor":"

Introduction\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\nThe ankle is the most frequently injured weight-bearing joint in the body, with ankle sprains being the most common injury type. These typically involve either the lateral ligament complex (especially the anterior talofibular ligament) or, the medial deltoid ligament complex. After an initial sprain, many individuals develop <\/span>chronic ankle instability (CAI)<\/b> \u2014 a condition marked by recurrent sprains, instability, pain, weakness, and limited range of motion as described in this physiotutors\u2019 clinical pattern<\/a>. <\/span>Lateral ankle sprains account for about <\/span>73% of all ankle sprains<\/b>, and inadequate rehabilitation after the first injury (reported in 50\u201370% of cases) is a major contributor to chronic instability.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nExercise for chronic ankle instability<\/span> \u2014 including strength, balance, and proprioceptive training \u2014 is considered a cornerstone of rehabilitation and has proven benefits for various chronic conditions. Evidence shows it helps prevent recurrent ankle sprains; however, there is still uncertainty about which specific exercise components are most effective.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRecent studies have highlighted the positive effects of <\/span>balance training<\/b> in CAI. Still, existing meta-analyses have methodological limitations (e.g., overlapping control groups or inclusion of mixed exercise interventions), making it difficult to isolate the true effect of different exercise types. To address these gaps, the present <\/span>meta-analysis<\/b> aims to evaluate the overall effectiveness of <\/span>exercise for chronic ankle instability<\/span> and to compare the relative benefits of different exercise modalities. Importantly, all included control groups were true non-intervention conditions, ensuring cleaner comparisons and more reliable conclusions.<\/span>\r\n

Methods\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\nSearch Strategy:<\/b>\r\n\r\nFour medical databases were searched. Only English-language RCTs were included. Eligible studies involved participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI), an exercise therapy intervention group, a no-intervention control group, and quantitative outcomes on ankle function (FAAM and SEBT).<\/span>\r\n

Study Selection<\/b><\/h4>\r\nTwo reviewers independently screened all retrieved titles and abstracts. Studies that appeared relevant were read in full to determine eligibility based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or by consulting a third reviewer.<\/span>\r\n\r\nInclusion criteria<\/b>\r\n