EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING VERSUS FOOT INTENSIVE REHABILITATION IN ATHLETES WITH CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY

Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common condition following repeated ankle sprains, characterized by persistent pain, instability, and recurrent injuries. Effective rehabilitation strategies are essential to restore function and prevent further damage. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of proprioceptive training and foot intensive rehabilitation for athletes with chronic ankle instability 
Methods: Experimental study. A total of 70 participants with diagnosed chronic ankle instability, 60 of them met the selection of criteria and were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A, 30 individuals received a proprioceptive training program, while Group B, 30 individuals underwent a foot intensive rehabilitation protocol for six weeks. Outcome measures included the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), Y balance test, evaluated pre- and post- intervention. 
Results: Both groups showed significant improvements within their respective interventions (p<0.05). However, Group B demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in all outcome measures compared to Group A (p<0.01). The foot intensive rehabilitation protocol was particularly effective in enhancing sensorimotor control, intrinsic foot muscle strength, and dynamic postural stability. 
Conclusion: Foot intensive rehabilitation produced superior outcomes compared to proprioceptive training in individuals with chronic ankle instability. The findings suggest that targeted foot strengthening and functional retraining should be prioritized in rehabilitation programs for CAI. These results are statistically significant (p<0.01) and support the implementation of foot-focused strategies in clinical practice.