Postural Control in Amateur Footballers With Chronic Ankle Instability (NCT07421492) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Postural Control in Amateur Footballers With Chronic Ankle Instability
Turkey (Türkiye)28 participantsStarted 2026-02-01
Plain-language summary
This study will investigate static and dynamic postural control characteristics in male amateur football players with chronic ankle instability (CAI) compared with football players without ankle instability. Participants will undergo standardized biomechanical assessments using a force-platform-based postural analysis system to quantify postural sway under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions and to evaluate direction-specific limits of stability performance.
In addition to conventional between-group comparisons, objective balance and stabilization variables will be used to develop supervised machine-learning classification models. These models will examine whether athletes demonstrating CAI-like functional patterns can be identified based solely on biomechanical performance data, independent of self-reported instability questionnaires.
The results are expected to enhance understanding of neuromuscular control deficits associated with chronic ankle instability and to support the development of objective, performance-based assessment approaches for football players.
The aim of this study is to determine the differences in static and dynamic postural control between amateur football players with and without chronic ankle instability and to evaluate whether multidimensional biomechanical balance parameters can be used to objectively characterize CAI-related functional profiles using machine-learning-based analysis.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Male amateur football players with at least 2 years of competitive participation and ≥5 years of regular sports activity
* Weekly football training volume of at least 3 hours
* For the CAI group: history of ≥1 significant lateral ankle sprain occurring ≥12 months before testing that caused pain, swelling, and temporary interruption of sports participation
* Presence of ≥2 episodes of giving-way or perceived ankle instability within the previous 6 months
* CAIT score ≤24 for classification as chronic ankle instability
* For the control group: no history of ankle sprain or perceived ankle instability and CAIT score ≥25
* Participants free from ankle pain and acute inflammation at the time of assessment
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of lower-extremity fracture or surgical intervention
* Musculoskeletal injury of the knee, hip, or spine within the last 3 months
* Diagnosed vestibular disorder or systemic balance impairment unrelated to the ankle
* Active ankle pain or acute inflammatory symptoms at the time of testing
* Any cardiovascular or systemic disease limiting safe participation in testing
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Limits of Stability Total Score (%) During Force-Platform Dynamic Postural Control Assessment at Baseline