Whole-Body–Vibration Training and Balance in Recreational Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

Abstract

Context:  Deficits in the propioceptive system of the ankle contribute to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Recently, whole-body–vibration (WBV) training has been introduced as a preventive and rehabilitative tool. Objective:  To evaluate how a 6-week WBV training program on an unstable surface affected balance and body composition in recreational athletes with CAI. Design:  Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting:  Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants:  Fifty recreational athletes with self-reported CAI were randomly assigned to a vibration (VIB), nonvibration (NVIB), or control group. Intervention(s):  The VIB and NVIB groups performed unilateral balance training on a BOSU 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. The VIB group trained on a vibration platform, and the NVIB group trained on the floor. Main Outcome Measure(s):  We assessed balance using the Biodex Balance System and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results:  After 6 weeks of training, improvements on the Biodex Balance System occurred only on the Overall Stability Index (P = .01) and Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (P = .03) in the VIB group. We observed better performance in the medial (P = .008) and posterolateral (P = .04) directions and composite score of the SEBT in the VIB group (P = .01) and in the medial (P < .001), posteromedial (P = .002), and posterolateral (P = .03) directions and composite score of the SEBT in the NVIB group (P < .001). No changes in body composition were found for any of the groups. Conclusions:  Only the VIB group showed improvements on the Biodex Balance System, whereas the VIB and NVIB groups displayed better performance on the SEBT.