The effects of ankle bracing on the activation of the peroneal muscles during a lateral shuffling movement

The effects of ankle bracing on the levels and patterns of ankle muscle activation are not well understood. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine this issue during a dynamic functional activity that involved marked ankle inversion. Design: Within subjects repeated measures. Setting: University Research Laboratory. Participants: Fifteen female collegiate athletes completed multiple trials of a lateral shuffling movement, both with and without an ankle brace. Main outcome measures: Frontal plane kinematics of the ankle and EMG data of the peroneus longus (PL) were recorded during lateral shuffling test trials at four time points: prior to brace application, after brace application, following 2 weeks of continued use of the brace, and 2 weeks after discontinued use of the brace. Results: The results demonstrated no significant changes in PL activity across the four time points. Conclusions: In contrast to previous reports, the use of an ankle brace does not produce immediate changes in muscle activation or changes in activation following short-term use.