Association of Dynamic Balance, Hitting Stability, Vertical Jump, and Tennis Performance among Elite Tennis Players with Chronic Ankle Instability- A Correlation Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common consequence of recurrent lateral ankle sprains and is associated with impaired proprioception, neuromuscular dysfunction, altered biomechanics, and reduced athletic performance. Although previous studies have independently examined balance, jump performance, and functional deficits, evidence investigating their collective relationship with tennis-specific performance in elite tennis players remains limited.
Objective: To determine the association of chronic ankle instability with dynamic balance, vertical jump performance, hitting stability, and tennis performance among elite tennis players.
Methods: A multicentre observational study was conducted among 200 elite tennis players (142 men and 58 women) aged 18–26 years from five tennis academies in Vellore District, India. Participants with chronic ankle instability were identified using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI). Vertical Jump Test, Dynamic Stability Test, Hitting Stability Test, and Wiebe Tennis Performance Test (forehand and backhand) were performed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation after confirming non-normal data distribution using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests.
Results: The mean age of participants was 21 ± 2 years, and the mean FADI score was 68 ± 7. FADI demonstrated a strong positive correlation with vertical jump performance (ρ = 0.856, p < 0.001) and hitting stability (ρ = 0.870, p < 0.001), whereas a strong negative correlation was observed with dynamic stability (ρ = −0.896, p < 0.001). Forehand and backhand performance exhibited a very strong positive correlation (ρ = 0.988, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Chronic ankle instability is strongly associated with impaired dynamic balance, reduced vertical jump performance, and diminished tennis-specific performance among elite tennis players.