Effect of Backward Walking Versus Balance Training in Chronic Ankle Instability Patients

The subjects in this group will receive BW training program on an electric treadmill. The subject will be asked to walk, arms beside, in a backward manner on a level treadmill, zero inclination, with a warming up and cooling down period (5 minutes for each period). The subject walks at his self-selected and comfortable walking speed. A warm-up and cool-down period, in form of light jogging on a treadmill, will be done at speed of 1-2 m/sec. The total training is 30 minutes, three times a week for six consecutive weeks.

"Subjects in this group will receive balance training on Biodex Balance System for 3 sessions/ week, over 6 weeks period. Each subject will be instructed to stand with both legs on the locked platform. The researcher advances the platform to an unstable state while instructing the subject to focus on the visual feedback screen. Arms are free at the side of the body and not grasping handrails.~After selecting the stability training program (dynamic balance training), Stability levels are changed depending on the subject's ability to maintain balance, and subjects are instructed to maintain their Center of Pressure (COP) in the smallest concentric rings (balance zones) of the Biodex Balance System monitor, named A zone.~The stability level of the platform is set at level plate stability 8 (the most stable) for the first two sessions. After that, the plate stability is decreased by one level every two sessions to increase the difficulty in training."

Patients in this group will receive the traditional physical therapy program only for 3 sessions/ week, over 6 weeks period. The traditional physical therapy program is (evertors strengthening, short foot ex, heel raise ex, and calf stretch).