Dynamic reach deficits in those with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The purpose of this review with meta-analyses was to determine the dynamic reach differences 1) between chronic ankle instability (CAI) and uninjured individuals, 2) between the limbs of an individual with CAI, and 3) between the uninvolved CAI limb and the healthy control limb across all possible reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases were searched up to October 2021. Data were extracted from the retained studies and underwent methodological quality assessment and meta-analysis using random-effect models. Results: After screening, 33 articles were included for the analyses. In all possible SEBT reach directions, the CAI group demonstrated significantly decreased normalized dynamic reach distances relative to the uninjured control group (SMDs: −0.66 to −0.48, p ≤ 0.05). Similarly, the involved CAI limb demonstrated significantly decreased normalized dynamic reach distances relative to the uninvolved CAI limb (SMDs: −0.61 to −0.33, p ≤ 0.05). However, no differences were noted between the uninvolved CAI limb and the healthy control limb (SMDs: −0.22 to 0.09, p ≥ 0.13). Conclusions: Our findings were that the involved limb of those with CAI has dynamic postural deficits relative to (i) an uninjured control group and (ii) relative to their uninvolved limb. However, the uninvolved limb of the CAI group does not differ from an uninjured control group in any reach direction.