The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of the single leg balance (SLB) test, carried out at preseason physical examination, to predict an ankle sprain during the autumn sports season. This prospective cohort study of high school varsity athletics and intercollegiate athletics measured ankle sprains in athletes with positive SLB tests. The results found that the association between a positive SLB test and future ankle sprains was significant and in athletes with a positive SLB test, not taping the ankle imposed an increased risk of sprain. The authors conclude that the SLB test is a reliable and valid test for predicting ankle sprains.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2006, 40, 610-613.