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Effects of balance training on post-sprained ankle joint instability.

PMID 26639734 (2015): stretch, stretching — Injury risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 26639734

Effects of balance training on post-sprained ankle joint instability.

The International journal of risk & safety in medicine2015 • DOI 10.3233/JRS-150707
Evidence B79/100
Action 1: Default

Low risk + high feasibility for most athletes.

ELI5

In plain language

To investigate effects of balance exercise training on instable ankle due to the previous ankle sprain injury. (systematic review / meta-analysis; n=380 athletes).

In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract doesn’t find a clear benefit for Injury risk. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: To investigate effects of balance exercise training on instable ankle due to the previous ankle sprain injury.
  • In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract doesn’t find a clear benefit for Injury risk.
  • Population: n=380 athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 2 months • 8 week • 8 weeks • 6 weeks • 30 minutes • 15 minutes.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: stretch, stretching.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 2 months • 8 week • 8 weeks • 6 weeks • 30 minutes • 15 minutes.
  • Outcomes: Injury risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (n=380 athletes) working on mobility.
  • Athletes who can measure Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: systematic review / meta-analysis.
  • Population: n=380 athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Injury risk.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 2 months • 8 week • 8 weeks • 6 weeks • 30 minutes • 15 minutes.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 26639734 (2015) — The International journal of risk & safety in medicine.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Different approaches to balance training provide in general similar improvement for sprained ankle.Implications for future studies:More RCTs on chronic ankle instability are needed with large sample size and use of different intensities of exercises.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources