This study aimed to compare balance between two groups of female basketball
players: with and without the history of lateral ankle sprain with support and nonsupport
legs separately. Subjects were 103 female basketball players participating
in University Primer League (1387) and were divided into two groups: with and
without previous injuries based on previous lateral ankle sprain. To measure their
balance, the stork balance stand test was used in two positions: open and closed
eyes on support and non-support legs separately. To collect athletes' data,
recording sheets were used and to compare their balance scores, an independent
statistical t test was used (P<0.05). The findings of this study showed that in nonsupport
legs, balance test scores in athletes with previous ankle sprain were
significantly lower than the group without previous injury in both open and closed
eyes position. However, in support legs, balance test scores showed no significant
difference between the two groups neither in open eyes nor in closed eyes position
(P<0.05). Non-support legs showed weaker balance than support legs in case of
previous injury. The athletes with an injury in non-support ankle region will
probably face weak balance if they do not receive sufficient rehabilitation.
Moreover, as balance weakness is one of sprain risk factors in ankle, the injured
athletes with an injury in their non-support ankle region will probably be more
exposed to injuries again.