The objective of this study was to compare two methods of ankle evertor muscle reinforcement after ankle sprain: concentric vs eccentric reinforcement. Eighteen subjects practising sport with first episode of ankle sprain underwent either conventional physical therapy including concentric reinforcement of the evertor ankle muscles or eccentric reinforcement. At the end of the physical therapy, the strength of the evertor muscles was tested using an isokinetic dynamometer. After the concentric reinforcement there is both significant concentric strength deficit and an eccentric strength deficit on the injured side in comparison with the healthy side. After the eccentric reinforcement the muscle strength was significantly greater during concentric movements.
Eccentric rehabilitation restored the strength of the injured evertor muscles. These results show the value of this method, especially as the weakness of these muscles after sprains is one of the main risk factors contributing to instability and the recurrence of sprains.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Published Online: 29 Mar 2009