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QUESTION:

To the OPTI Coaching Staff:

I am a high school volleyball coach interested in purchasing active ankle braces for my athletes. I have heard many great things about these braces, but recently a few friends of mine say that wearing these braces drastically decrease the strength in your ankles. Would you please give your opinion if it is wise to have your teenage athletes wearing these braces.

Thanks for your time.

Stephen

ANSWER:

Dear Stephen:

I am sure the active ankle brace is an excellent product. However, I personally would not have one of my healthy athletes choose this path.

It is the official opinion/position of our facility that ankle braces and other supportive gear should ONLY be worn when recommended by the examining sportsmedicine professional (MD, DC, DO, PT) and never as a prophylactic, or protective mechanism for a healthy athlete.

The ankle structure is made up of various muscles, connective tissues, and bony materials. Every one of these organic structures will respond to the stresses of weight bearing activity. If proper progression of activity is followed and overuse is avoided, the foot structure should make the positive adaptations necessary to avoid injury. Of course, the freak incident always has a chance of happening. But even with the unexpected rolling of the ankle upon landing, the athlete's foot will probably have a better chance of engaging its natural proprioceptive mechanisms of protection if a brace is not present. A brace alters the natural order of things.

The body will become dependent on this aid, and ankle strength and stability may very well suffer. I would recommend a properly-designed, progressive conditioning program prior to starting to wear a brace. A brace should only be worn upon the recommendation of a sports medicine professional.

Sincerely,

Richard Lansky, CSCS
Clinic Director
OPTI Sports & Fitness Clinic

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