Should Basketball Players Wear Ankle Braces?
Ankle injuries are the most common sports injuries, especially for basketball players. To wear an ankle brace or not to wear an ankle brace is one of the biggest questions for basketball coaches, players, parents and trainers. A review of several studies offers conflicting answers.
According to an Australian study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, braces were not a factor in one’s susceptibility to an ankle injury. Instead, previous ankle injury was the greatest indicator of a future ankle sprain.
Players with a history of ankle injury were almost five times more likely to sustain an ankle injury.
Interestingly, the second biggest indicator was an air cell in the heel:
Players wearing shoes with air cells in the heel were 4.3 times more likely to injure an ankle than those wearing shoes without air cell.
Another article with commentary on the study says:
First of all, it’s quite reasonable to think that mid-sole construction and composition in basketball shoes should play a role in preventing/producing injuries. Basketball-shoe midsoles tend to be quite thick, for one thing. In theory, this exaggerated thickness provides better cushioning, but it also makes the foot and ankle more unstable, compared to a situation in which the foot is closer to the ground. In particular, it makes the foot and ankle more prone to the violent side-to-side tipping motions which produce ankle sprains and other ankle injuries.
As for ankle braces, the commentary noted that:
Players with a history of ankle injury were more likely to wear an ankle brace, compared to athletes with no prior injury; however, wearing an ankle brace did not significantly reduce the risk of injury.
However, another site suggested the efficacy of ankle braces:
Laboratory data has shown that the use of ankle braces has reduced the rate of initial and recurrent injuries.
If one is to use an ankle brace, another study found no difference between the braces in terms of injury prevention, but the rigid brace showed decreased performance:
With regard to the objective parameters, no significant differences were found between the braces except for the rigid brace which showed decreased values for the vertical jump and longer times for the other tests compared to all other braces.
The same test also measured subjective difference through a questionnaire and found differences in comfort level:
The subjective evaluation of the braces revealed significant differences with respect to comfort and handling and therefore, permitted a distinction between semi-rigid and soft braces. Although significant differences between braces were found in subjective performance restriction, no significant differences were revealed in the objective evaluation.
Therefore, if one chooses to use an ankle brace, this study suggests choosing the brace based on the player’s comfort and feeling, not the supposed benefits.
Beyond ankle braces, one’s shoes are a major factor for potential sprains. The Australian study noted the increased incidents with an air cell in the heel. Another study suggests changing shoes often to prevent an injury, a variable not accounted for in the Australian study:
NBA players often change their sneakers every two to three games. This is because there is a proven link between the replacement of sneakers and the prevention of injuries…Even when the outside of the sneaker looks good, the mid-sole of a basketball sneaker (the eva) is often worn down. When this happens, there is added stress to bones and ligaments in the foot and the leg…Currently, the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine is recommending that high school basketball players switch sneakers monthly.
Another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicated that the Single-Leg Balance test is an effective test to predict ankle sprains:
An association was demonstrated between a positive SLB test and ankle sprain. In athletes with a positive SLB test, not taping the ankle imposed an increased risk of sprain. The SLB test is a reliable and valid test for predicting ankle sprains.
In the end, another study in the Sao Paulo Medical Journal might sum up all the studies the best:
Ankle bracing and ankle taping action mechanisms are still unclear and therefore should be carefully prescribed. More studies are needed to clarify taping and bracing effects on sporting activities.
Before choosing to tape or wear a brace, use a single-leg balance test to assess risk and check the stability of your shoes.
Brian, those studies are good data points. For those with recurring injuries, the use of a brace may provide more psychological benefit than physical, and therefore may still be worth the cost. Probably why you might as well buy something comfortable, rather than something that markets some type of structural benefit.
The points made about the shoes are intriguing. It sounds like build-up of the midsole is partially at fault for ankle injuries, yet breakdown of the midsole is responsible for stress on the bones and ligaments in the knee and foot. Can’t live with the midsole, can’t live without it? What would be the solution? Maybe a tennis shoe or even a Converse “Chuck Taylor” with a good footbed?
I have always wondered about shoe sizing and injuries. I recall hearing that better players tend to buy shoes in a smaller size to minimize shifting of the foot on the footbed when playing. In a related topic, I once read that one of the first things John Wooden taught freshmen was how to tie their shoes to prevent injury.
sportsparent said this on October 6, 2008 at 6:10 AM |
Wooden even taught his players how to put on their socks to avoid blisters.
I don’t like basketball shoes myself and have played in running shoes for years. When I was at a J.C. as an assistant, I scrimmaged with the players and they told me to wear basketball shoes. I rolled my ankle one time and initially I thought it was bad. They all looked at me and said “told you.” I walked it off in a minute and was playing full speed a couple minutes later and never felt any after effects.
I have always assumed all the balance exercises and stability exercises I was doing around then paid off, as there is research which suggests that single-leg balance and ankle injuries are related (I write about this in the 3rd Edition of Cross Over).
For those who have hurt their ankle, their chances of hurting it again are much higher, so an ankle brace is probably prudent. Personally, I prefer ankle taping to braces, but each has its positives and negatives.
The best answer, I suppose, is for those without an injury to do stability exercises to prevent one and to change shoes regularly to prevent other stress and stress-related injuries, which seem to be on the rise as well.
Brian McCormick said this on October 6, 2008 at 9:14 AM |
wow that’s certainly interesting research into air cells in the heel. i will take that into consideration next time i buy shoes for hooping in.
coach, you are in good company in your running shoes; other ‘low tops’ wearers of note: Pistol Pete, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and probably a host of other old school players. amongst active NBA players i know that Gilbert Arenas and Sam Cassell wear them. interesting stuff.
andy106 said this on October 7, 2008 at 11:51 AM |