Research article - (2026)25, 1 - 15
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2026.1
Acute Effects of Floss Band at Different Pressures on Multidimensional Ankle Stability in Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Yuanhao Chen, Xin Zhang, Bing Han, Ting Mo, Qiao Gou, Mengju Ma, Qi Zhang, Chao Guo, Shilun Hou
School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China

Shilun Hou
✉ School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
Email: houshilun@bsu.edu.cn
Received: 20-09-2025 -- Accepted: 11-11-2025
Published (online): 01-03-2026
Narrated in English

ABSTRACT

This randomized controlled trial investigated the acute effects of floss band (FB) application at different pressures on multidimensional ankle stability in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Forty-two male participants with CAI were randomly assigned to a medium-pressure (MP, 150 mmHg), high-pressure (HP, 200 mmHg), or control group (CG, non-compressive bandage). Outcomes included the Y-Balance Test (YBT), single-leg landing stability (assessed via surface electromyography), ankle proprioception, and static balance, measured at baseline (T0), 5 min (T1), 25 min (T2), and 45 min (T3) post-intervention. The results showed that both MP and HP groups exhibited significant improvements in YBT composite scores, lower limb muscle activation during landing, and joint position sense accuracy at T1 and T2 compared to T0 (all p < 0.05), with the MP group demonstrating longer-lasting benefits up to T3. The MP group also significantly outperformed the CG across multiple dynamic stability and neuromuscular metrics at early time points (p < 0.05). Improvements in static balance were limited and transient. These findings indicate that a single application of FB, particularly at 150 mmHg, can acutely enhance dynamic stability, neuromuscular control, and proprioception in CAI patients, with effects sustained for up to 45 minutes, supporting its use as an effective pre-activity or pre-rehabilitation intervention.

Key words: Chronic ankle instability, floss band, postural balance, neuromuscular control, randomized controlled trial

Key Points
  • This RCT demonstrates that a single application of floss band acutely enhances dynamic stability, neuromuscular control, and proprioception in individuals with chronic ankle instability.
  • Medium-pressure (150 mmHg) application induced more favorable and longer-lasting improvements across multiple outcomes compared to high-pressure (200 mmHg).
  • The observed benefits are likely mediated by neurophysiological mechanisms, such as enhanced sensorimotor integration and stretch tolerance, rather than alterations in fascial mechanical properties.
  • Floss band is recommended as an effective adjunctive warm-up modality for rapidly improving ankle function in clinical and athletic settings.








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