A UW study looks at the most common injury to young athletes, and it’s not a concussion. In a first-of-a-kind study, University of Wisconsin researchers will examine whether using ankle braces during football practice and games will help to reduce the incidence of ankle sprains – which can be debilitating.
Sports medicine researcher and athletic trainer Tim McGuine says despite the fact that from twenty to forty percent of high football players are using them, there is NO research on the effectiveness of the braces, which can cost sixty to seventy dollars.
The study, set to begin in August, will involve 51 Wisconsin high schools from across the state, and more than 2,250 football players. The control group will be given stabilizing, lace-up braces to wear in practices and games. The other group will practice and play normally, some wearing braces and some not. At the end of the season, researchers will compare the number and severity of ankle sprains between the groups.
Bob Hague interview (6:00 MP3) UDIO: Bob Hague interview (6:00 MP3)