TO BRACE OR NOT TO BRACE YOUR ANKLE?

Prolonged immobilization is associated with muscle weakness because of disuse. However, those wearing ankle braces are not immobilized, and generally only wear braces during their sport. There is no evidence that ankle muscles are weaker after wearing an ankle brace during the season. While there is some evidence of delayed activation of muscles associated with wearing an ankle brace, researchers found no effect on muscle activation with prolonged use. Furthermore, No brace can ‘prevent’ an injury (or really anything for that matter!). All we can do is reduce the risk or incidence of ankle sprains. The fact is ankle braces do not protect against initial ankle sprains very well. There is minimal reduction in first-time ankle sprains with a brace, but the real benefit of ankle braces is preventing recurrent ankle sprains