Active Ankle?

Question

just out of curiosity, what do people think about active ankle supports? some coaches love them and want their players to use them while others hate them and wont let their players play. i injured my ankle earlier this year and ever since its been a little weaker. i only use one active ankle. its on my right ankle. i tend to bend my ankle to keept from going over the center line when setting a tight ball. (im a setter.) one of my coaches loves them and encourages the use of an active ankle, while one of the other coaches hates them and always gives me a lecture every time that i walk into the gym about how i shouldnt use them. what do you guys think? Thanks!

Answer 1

I also had an ankle injury that weakend my ankle, and know I use these http://www.anklebrace.info/bauerfeind/ma...  they don't weaken your ankles as much as the active ankle.  They are more expensive, but if they break you can have them repaired rather than just buying a new pair.  They also aren't as big and bulky.  I recommend these to everyone! I haven't hurt an ankle since I got them

Answer 2

Active ankles can be very good if you need them. Volleyball players, especially girls, are at a great risk for injuries. The ankle is a very common place- I've sprained mine a time or two. If you can build up your strength before or after an injury, it's best not to wear them.

You have to remember that your ankle depends on the support once you start wearing them. If you are doing any kind of constant physical activity, it is not safe to ever go without the active ankle if you have worn it repeatedly. I have seen too many girls ruin their volleyball careers by taking off a brace too soon. It takes too long to recover, and the risks are too high.

My advice would be not to wear them if your ankles are strong enough, since they do kind of restrict your movement, but once you start wearing them you shouldn't stop. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 3

Active ankles are great if you have weak ankles or are recovering from an injury. However, like mentioned, they can actually make your ankles weaker from extended use. I sprainded my ankle twice in one week in high school and started wearing them. I haven't stopped wearing them and 10 years removed I'm noticing that my ankles aren't as strong as they used to be. So exercises are the best option, but if you're recovering from an injury and need some confidence, they will help you while you continue to strengthen your ankles.

Being a setter, you need to be extremely mobile and they can limit your mobility, and increase your chance of knee injury if you do happen to fall on someone's foot, or something like that.

Answer 4

i think they're great!! i also recently injured my ankle when going up for a middle block and i landed on someone's foot. i wear them on both ankles now not only because i injured my ankle but also because they lower your risk of hurting your ankles dramaticly. i wish i would have been wearing them from the start!!

Answer 5

I will take the middle answer on this one.

I would suggest wearing the Active Ankle when in scrimmage or competition.  You are not in control of things and could land on someone, seriously injuring your weak ankle.

In drills and your workouts, do not wear the Active Ankle so that you will strengthen the ankle.  

After you strengthen your ankle, you should be able to switch to an elastic support and then eventually nothing.

Answer 6

Wearing Active Ankles is very important. The one time that i didnt wear them to a practice, i fractured my ankle and was out most of the season. Not wearing them is the worst decision you could make.

Answer 7

I'm a libero and I can't wear them.  To me it limits movement.  You also (I think) weaken your ankle more by wearing them.  You need to instead find exercises to stregthen your ankle.  It will edventually build strength back up and you'll be good to go.  If you need support for now TAPE!

Answer 8

I used to wear them all the time. I've probably rolled my ankle well over a hundred times in each ankle with and without them.

I found that strengthening the ankle works the best. I use a circular balance board. I started off with the standard two footed balancing. When I got good at balancing that way I started using just one foot and that really helped me out. The balance board helps strengthen all the smaller muscles that you never knew you had.

I've been ankle support free for a few years now and never looking back.