Risk factors for noncontact ankle sprains in high school football players: the role of previous ankle sprains and body mass index
by
Tyler TF, McHugh MP, Mirabella MR, Mullaney MJ, Nicholas SJ.
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last modified
2009-10-09 15:17
Am J Sports Med. 2006 Mar;34(3):471-5. Epub 2005 Oct 31.
BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we noted a possible connection between an
athlete's weight and risk of ankle sprain. HYPOTHESIS: A high body mass index and
a history of a previous ankle sprain increase the risk of a subsequent noncontact
sprain. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: One hundred
fifty-two athletes from 4 football teams were observed (2 varsity and 2 junior
varsity). Two teams were observed for 3 seasons, and 2 teams were observed for 1
season. Before each season, body mass, height, history of previous ankle sprains,
and ankle tape or brace use were recorded. RESULTS: There were 24 ankle sprains,
of which 15 were noncontact inversion sprains (11 grade I, 3 grade II, 1 grade
III; incidence, 1.08 per 1000 athlete-exposures). Injury incidence was higher in
athletes with previous ankle injuries (2.60 vs 0.39; P < .001). Body mass index
was also a risk factor (P < .05): injury incidence was 0.52 for players with a
normal body mass index, 1.05 for players at risk of overweight, and 2.03 for
overweight players. Injury incidence was 0.22 for normal-weight players with no
previous ankle sprain compared with 4.27 for overweight players who had a
previous sprain. CONCLUSION: An overweight player who had a previous ankle sprain
was 19 times more likely to sustain a noncontact ankle sprain than was a
normal-weight player with no previous ankle sprain. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ankle
sprain prevention strategies should be targeted at football players with a high
body mass index and a history of previous ankle sprains.