Postural Control as Measured by Three Balance Tests in College-Aged Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: 2412 Board #159 May 29, 9

Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most frequently occurring injuries among athletes and other active adults. The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is a field test that is most commonly used to assess balance in individuals who have recently sustained a concussion. However, the BESS has recently been used to assess balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare scores of postural stability as measured by the BESS, the Biodex BESS and the Biodex CTSIB tests (CTSIB1= eyes open, firm surface; CTSIB2 = eyes open, foam surface; CTSIB3 = eyes closed, firm surface and CTSIB4 = eyes closed, foam surface) in a college-aged population with either CAI or healthy ankles. METHODS: Seven males and nine females (age: 22.7 ± 1.7 years, ht: 168.7 ± 10.7cm, BM: 66.3 ± 15.4kg) were classified as having either a healthy ankle (control = C) or CAI, as measured by the Functional Ankle Disability Index survey (FADI), the Functional Ankle Disability Index Sport survey (FADIS), the Identification of Foot and Ankle Instability questionnaire (IdFAI) and the anterior drawer test. Subjects then voluntarily completed two trials of the BESS, Biodex BESS and Biodex CTSIB tests in randomized order on two separate occasions. RESULTS: Statistical analysis by t-test revealed a significant difference (P