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Passive Stability Characteristics of Ankle Braces and Tape in Simulated Barefoot and Shod Conditions

Background Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries in barefoot sport activities such as dance, gymnastics, or trampoline. At present, the use of external ankle devices for prevention of ligament injuries for barefoot activities remains unclear. Hypothesis External ankle devices have a significant loss of passive stability when used without a shoe in barefoot activities. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in the project (mean age, 26.2 ± 3.3 years; mean body mass, 71.2 ± 10.3 kg; mean height, 178 ± 7 cm). Passive range of motion measurements were performed with 3 different ankle stabilizers (a stirrup brace, a lace-up brace, and tape), as well as 2 different shoe conditions (cutout shoe [simulated barefoot] and normal shoe). Results In the simulated barefoot condition, a significantly reduced stabilizing effect for inversion and eversion (19% and 29%, respectively) was found for the stirrup ankle brace. Small decreases were noted with the soft brace and tape, but these were not statistically significant. Conclusion The passive stability characteristics of ankle braces depend to a great extent on being used in combination with a shoe. This is especially true for semirigid braces with stirrup design. Therefore, it is recommended that soft braces (like the one tested in the present investigation) be used in barefoot sports for restricting passive range of motion of the foot and ankle complex. Clinical Relevance This study provides useful information for clinicians to select or recommend an external ankle stabilizing device in barefoot sports to restrict passive range of motion of the foot-ankle complex most effectively.