Effect Of Closed Chain Exercises Versus Open Chain Exercises on Pain and Foot Function Among Young Female Athletes with Ankle Sprain: A Comparative Study
Keywords:
Ankle Sprain, Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises, Open Kinetic Chain Exercises, Female Athletes, Rehabilitation, FADI, VAS, ProprioceptionAbstract
Background: Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in athletes, particularly young females, due to anatomical and neuromuscular factors. These injuries can lead to chronic ankle instability (CAI), functional limitations, and long-term disability if not properly rehabilitated. Closed kinetic chain (CKC) and open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation, but comparative evidence regarding their efficacy in young female athletes is limited.
Need of the Study: While physiotherapy interventions for ankle sprains are well-established, few studies have directly compared the impact of CKC versus OKC exercises, especially in combination with cryotherapy, in young female athletes. There is a need to identify the most effective rehabilitation strategy to reduce pain and improve function, thereby preventing recurrence and promoting safe return to sport.
Methodology: This comparative study involved 60 female athletes aged 18–25 with Grade I or II ankle sprains. Participants were randomly assigned to either a CKC group (n=30) or an OKC group (n=30). Both groups underwent supervised exercise sessions 4 times a week for 6 weeks, alongside cryotherapy. Outcome measures included the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, assessed pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t-tests.
Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain and function (p<0.0001). The CKC group demonstrated greater gains, with a FADI improvement of +16.80 points and a VAS reduction of –2.67 points, compared to the OKC group's +10.64 FADI improvement and –1.36 VAS reduction (p<0.0001 for between-group comparisons).
Conclusion: Closed kinetic chain exercises are significantly more effective than open chain exercises in reducing pain and improving foot function among young female athletes with ankle sprains. CKC exercises should be prioritized in rehabilitation protocols for this population
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