Association between Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool score and postural stability in collegiate soccer players with and without functional ankle instability

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) scores and postural stability during a diagonal landing, and to investigate whether postural stability is altered in collegiate soccer players with and without functional ankle instability (FAI).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Laboratory.

Participants: Ninety-one soccer players were classified into a FAI group (history of at least two ankle sprains and a CAIT-Japanese version score ≤25, n = 28), a copers group (history of one ankle sprain and a CAIT-Japanese version score ≥26, n = 32), or a control group (no history of ankle sprain, n = 31).

Main outcome measures: Time to anteroposterior stabilisation (TTSAP) and mediolateral stabilisation (TTSML) were measured during the diagonal single-leg landing.

Results: The CAIT scores were correlated with TTSAP (P < 0.05, r_s = -0.214) and TTSML (P < 0.01, r_s = -0.566). TTSAP was longer in the FAI group than in the control group, and TTSML was longer in the FAI group than in the other groups.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate the presence of an association between the CAIT-J score and TTSML, as well as postural stability deficits in collegiate soccer players with FAI during diagonal landings.