EFFECTS OF MODIFIED STATION TRAINING ON PAIN, BALANCE, LOWER LIMB MUSCLES STRENGTH AND AGILITY IN ATHLETES WITH CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY
Sawittri Songsuk, Archrawadee Srijaroon · European Journal of Literature, Language and Linguistics Studies - Open Journal Systems · 2026
Ankle sprains are a common injury in athletes and have a high recurrence rate which can develop into chronic ankle instability (CAI). This leads to decreased balance, weakened lower limb strength and impaired agility, raising the risk of re-injury and adversely affecting athletic performance. Therefore, a suitable training program is necessary for injury prevention and enhancing sports performance. This study aimed to examine the effect of modified station training on pain, balance, lower limb muscle strength, and agility in athletes with chronic ankle instability after 8 weeks of training.
Methods: The participants consisted of 40 athletes from Mahasarakham University and the National Sports University, Mahasarakham Campus, aged 18–25 years. They were purposively sampled and divided equally into two groups by simple random sampling to match the groups. Group 1 was the experimental group with a modified station training program and group 2 was the control group with a normal training program. The training program lasted for 8 weeks, with training sessions conducted 3 times per week. The outcome measurements included pain score measured as the numeric rating scale (NRS), static balance using a balance & stability test, dynamic balance measured by the star excursion balance test, muscle strength was assessed using the manual muscle test (MMT) which evaluated muscle strength based on a standardized grading scale and the Illinois agility test.
Results: After an 8-week training program, both groups exhibited decreases in pain and increases in static balance, dynamic balance, lower limb muscle strength, and agility (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group presented enhanced static balance, dynamic balance, and lower limb muscle strength compared to the control group. However, there was no significant improvement in pain and agility in comparison to the control group.
Conclusions: The modified station training program improves physical performance in athletes with chronic ankle instability, promoting a safer and more effective return to sports.