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Best Ankle Brace
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Do Basketball Ankle Braces work?
Ankle sprains are the most common type of injury in Basketball, with an inversion low ankle sprain the most common. Severe inversion ankle sprains may result in a high ankle sprain, affecting the ligaments on the front of the ankle joint. A study by Dewar et al., 2019 reviewed three different types of ankle braces and found little significant difference in their effectiveness. Still, all three effectively reduced the risk of ankle sprains in basketball.
Another study by McGuine et al., 2011 on lace-up ankle braces’ effect on high school basketball injury rates found that they did not reduce the severity of injuries. Still, they did reduce the incidence of ankle injuries. These two studies highlight the benefits of Basketball ankle braces in reducing ankle injuries.
James McCormack is a Physical Therapist who specializes in knee, foot & ankle injuries. www.james-mccormack.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Earnings from this are used to create free-to-read content without affecting the price of the basketball braces we recommend.
Best Basketball Ankle Braces
The best basketball ankle braces have a lace-up front with eight straps to fix the ankle into the desired position for stability. The laces prevent the ankle brace from loosening while you play, while the figure 8 strap is more stable than a figure 6 lock. Stirrups along the side help lock the subtalar joint, which is helpful for chronic ankle sprains.
We have listed our three most recommended Basketball Ankle Braces below.
McDavid Level 3 Basketball Ankle Brace
- Comfortable Padded Line on Enclosures
- Breathable Tongue
- Easy lace-up
- Two separate straps for locking the ankle
ASO Basketball Ankle Brace
- Easy Lace-Up System
- Extra ankle stirrups for added stability
- Medical Grade Support
- Six different sizes
- Elasticated top cover for hiding straps and easy alteration of support levels
Zamst A2-DX Basketball Ankle Brace
- i-Fit technology makes it the most comfortable brace we have come across
- Plastic side braces with plantar support for extra protection from sprains
- Their x-straps work, as well as a figure 8 strap
Comment from James: This is our go-to brace for anyone who plays Basketball but struggles with ankle sprains.
Buy Zamst A2-DX Brace on AmazonShould I wear an ankle brace for Basketball?
There is evidence that lace-up ankle braces reduce the risk of a sprained ankle when playing basketball; however, a debate is that wearing an ankle brace can weaken your ankle muscles as the brace does all the work for the ankle. There is no evidence to support this, but from a clinical perspective, this is reasonable.
We suggest doing balance and stability exercises for your ankle if you play basketball and wearing an ankle brace if you have a history of ankle sprains.
Physiotherapy with James McCormack
This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack before purchasing any basketball ankle braces. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments weekly.