Masters Degrees (Physiotherapy)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Physiotherapy) by Subject "Ankle -- Wounds and injuries"

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    The differences in objective balance outcomes between elite female rugby players with and without a history of lateral ankle sprain
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Martin, Melissa Jo-Ann; Louw, Quinette A.; Tawa, Nassib; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Physiotherapy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Ankle injuries (in particular ankle sprains) are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in rugby due to impact. Despite the high physicality of the sport, it has not deterred females from participation. Ankle sprains can be prevented or reduced by a balance training programme. Dynamic balance can be quantified by pressure or force platform systems in balance assessments by measuring displacements of the centre of pressure (COP). Despite the popularity of women‟s rugby, studies in this area are scarce. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if there are differences in objective balance outcome measures between female rugby players with and without a history of lateral ankle sprains, using COP displacements to quantify their dynamic balance. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical design was followed in this study. The study was conducted at the High Performance Centre Gymnasium of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU), situated at the corner of Voortrekker Road and Duminy Street, Bellville, Cape Town. The study involved 12 participants with a history of lateral ankle sprains and 19 participants without a history of lateral ankle sprains. The Noraxon myoPressureTM (Zebris) pressure plate was utilised to objectively measure dynamic balance using COP parameters, namely Sway Area (SA), COP Speed (COP Sp), and Time-to-Boundary (TTB), using three tasks (catch-and-throw, single-leg balance, and side step). The Mann-Whitney statistical test was used to assess normality of the data. Results: The study population comprised 31 females, 12 with a history of lateral ankle sprains and 19 without a history of lateral ankle sprains. The median age of the ankle sprain group was 21.5 years, similar to the non-ankle sprain group of 21.0 years. Participants of the ankle sprain group presented with statistically significant differences in the outcome Sway Area for the tasks catch-and-throw (p=0.04) and side step (p=0.01). This was similar for the outcome Time-to-Boundary which indicated a statistically significant result for the tasks catch-and-throw (p=0.02) and side step (0=0.01). There was also a statistically significant difference for the outcome COP Speed for the task side step (p=0.01). There were no statistical differences for the task single-leg balance. Conclusion: Our findings showed a significant increase in SA and TTB in the ankle sprain group compared to the non-ankle sprain group for the tasks catch-and-throw and side step. There was also a significant increase in COP Sp in the ankle sprain group compared to the non-ankle sprain group. All other outcomes showed insignificant differences. Our findings add to the evidence base, suggesting that balance can be tested and measured objectively in female rugby players with lateral ankle sprains as a result of balance impairments. In addition, the use of pressure plates in objective balance testing to provide significant data is strengthened and may assist clinicians to identify players whose balance may be impaired following an ankle sprain and who may benefit from a balance training programme. Future studies may explore the effect of a balance intervention programme in female rugby players with and without a history of ankle sprains.