A 6-Week Nine-Square Exercise Programme for Collegiate Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have poor postural stability, functional limitations and low quality of life. Although nine-square exercise can improve postural control, there is limited evidence demonstrating whether it can function as an alternative CAI rehabilitation programme. This study aimed to determine the effects of nine-square exercise on postural stability and self-reported outcomes in individuals with CAI.

Methods: Eighteen male collegiate athletes with CAI participated in either a 6-week nine-square exercise or a control group ( = 9 per group). At baseline and post-intervention, the participants undertook clinical tests to measures dynamic and static postural control, and self-reported outcomes regarding ankle stability and function.

Results: Within-group differences, the nine-square exercise group experienced improved dynamic postural control ( = 0.004), static postural control ( = 0.001) and self-reported outcomes ( < 0.05). For the control group, only static postural control improved ( = 0.018). Post-intervention, the nine-square exercise group experienced significant improvements in dynamic postural control ( < 0.001), ankle stability ( = 0.002) and functional ability ( < 0.05) relative to the control group.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the nine-square exercise can offer an alternative rehabilitation programme for improving postural control, self-perceived ankle stability and functional ability in CAI.