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Comparison of the Effects of Hip and Ankle Focused Progressive Exercise Training on Lower Extremity Function in Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability

Sponsor: Hacettepe University • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07319403

Registry updated: 2026-10-13

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Description

Chronic ankle instability refers to a combination of persistent mechanical and functional instability symptoms following an ankle sprain. Along with these symptoms, decreased proprioception, reduced neuromuscular control, poor postural control, limited dorsiflexion range of motion, decreased ankle strength, and altered lower-extremity biomechanics during functional activities are also observed. In addition, individuals with chronic ankle instability have been shown to exhibit limitations in energy transfer across the lower extremity. These symptoms may hinder patients' physical activity levels and athletic performance and negatively affect their quality of life. Since the lower extremity functions as a unit, changes in adaptive strategies at the ankle can lead to kinematic alterations in proximal joints. Although the instability originates at the ankle, higher-level joints are also affected, and it has even been reported that in this population, lower-extremity stability is primarily achieved through the hip joint. While the effectiveness of hip-focused exercises has begun to be investigated in the literature, the superiority of different muscle groups has not yet been compared.

Interventions

Gluteus Medius (Other)
Participants with chronic ankle instability will undergo a 6-week hip-focused strengthening exercise program specifically targeting the gluteus medius muscle. The intervention aims to improve hip muscle strength and lower extremity stability.
Gluteus Maximus (Other)
Participants with chronic ankle instability will participate in a 6-week hip-focused strengthening exercise program targeting the gluteus maximus muscle. The program aims to enhance hip extension strength and overall lower extremity stability.
Control (Other)
Participants with chronic ankle instability will perform a 6-week standard strengthening exercise program commonly used in the rehabilitation of ankle instability, without specific emphasis on targeted hip muscle strengthening.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Professional athletes aged between 18 and 40 years Participation in sports for at least 3 years History of at least one lateral ankle sprain that occurred at least 12 months prior to enrollment At least two episodes of perceived ankle "giving way" and/or at least two recurrent lateral ankle sprains within the past 6 months, and/or a subjective feeling of ankle instability on the injured side Exclusion Criteria: History of lower extremity surgery History of fracture involving the lower extremity Any lower extremity injury within the past 3 months that limited physical activity for more than one day

Conditions

Ankle Sprains

Locations

Hacettepe University — Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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