Proprioceptive exercises and their role in improving static and dynamic joint stability in ankle sprains in handball players

Introduction. - Chronic joint instability is one of the most common symptoms of ankle sprains in performance handball. The aim of our research was to demonstrate the efficiency of proprioceptive exercises on static and dynamic joint stability in handball players, who suffered at least one ankle sprain, during the last year. Methods. - The present paper is an experimental research, carried out over a period of four months, on Junior II handball players (n = 22). The static and dynamic joint stability as well as the degree of joint instability were established by using the IsoShift stabilometric platform and the identification of functional ankle instability questionnaire. Results. - The proprioceptive exercise programme had a positive effect on the assessed functional parameters, the results obtained having statistical significance on the number of ankle sprains (P < 0.002), dynamic balance (P < 0.001), open-eyed static balance (P < 0.001), closed-eyed static balance (P < 0.001) and degree of joint instability (P < 0.001). The use of proprioceptive exercises with open and closed eyes in treating joint instability has led to improved average values of the dynamic and static bipodal balance, which has highlighted their efficiency in improving joint stability in handball athletes with ankle sprains. (c) 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.