Eccentric Is Better Than Concentric Strengthening of Ankle Evertor Muscle After A Lateral Ankle Sprain

Table of Contents

Related Articles


Recently, we have an article published on how to manage recurrent lateral ankle sprain. Now let us look at how to further reduce the incidence of your next sprain.

Study On Eccentric Strengthening Of Ankle Evertor Muscles

lateral ankle sprain

Herve Collado and fellow researchers from France found that rehabilitation focusing on eccentric strengthening of ankle evertor muscles have shown to restore the strength of a first time lateral ankle sprain better than concentric rehabilitation.

In the study, 18 subjects, aged 23-25 years who had type I and II lesion of lateral ankle sprain, were chosen. They were then randomised into two intervention groups, Concentric group (CG) and Eccentric group (EG). In addition, a control group consisting of 10 healthy subjects with no ankle sprain history and similar demographics are included.

The two interventions group underwent the same physical therapy treatment. The aim was to reduce swelling of the ankle up to seven sessions. These treatments include draining the oedema, physiotherapy and retraining the range of motion. The subjects were then subdivided into CG and EG to the twelve sessions after the seventh session. The subjects carried out 5 sets of 10 repetitions with two minutes interval on their respective concentric and eccentric strengthening of the ankle evertor muscles. This is followed by the same ankle proprioception training on a Freeman plate.

Isokinetic dynamometers were used to test the subjects. Their peak torque was measured during pre-treatment, on the sixth session, and post-treatment. The measurements were peak torques in the concentric and eccentric modes; ankle strength deficits, expressed as percentages of the healthy ankle values, recorded in the concentric and eccentric modes; ratios between concentric/eccentric values.

Results

Results showed that subjects in the eccentric group had their ankle evertor muscles strength significantly greater. However, the concentric group had significant deficits in both concentric and eccentric movement. This means that eccentric rehabilitation can help to restore the strength of the injured ankle evertor muscles. This is crucial for better ankle stability. With better ankle stability, the incidence of a recurrent ankle sprain will be reduced significantly.

Experiencing ankle pain? Click here to find out more about physiotherapy for ankle pain relief and how Core Concepts can help

Reference:

  1. Eccentric reinforcement of the ankle evertor muscles after lateral ankle sprain, H Collado et al., Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports,2010; 20 (2):241 -246