{"id":24324,"date":"2026-01-10T13:55:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T20:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/?p=24324"},"modified":"2026-01-14T14:03:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:03:46","slug":"ankle-braces-matter-for-youth-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/es\/ankle-braces-matter-for-youth-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Ankle Braces Matter for Youth Athletes?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ankle braces are a common sight in youth sports, specifically basketball, but many coaches and parents still wonder when they\u2019re truly necessary and effective. According to Dennis Coonan, athletic trainer and Program Manager of the Sports Medicine Center at Children\u2019s Hospital Colorado, ankle braces can play an important role in preventing repeat injuries when used alongside proper training. This article breaks down when ankle braces are recommended, how they impact performance and why balance and proprioceptive training are just as critical for long-term ankle health.<\/p>\n

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In today\u2019s sports arenas, it\u2019s common to see athletes wearing ankle braces during a game, in practice or even in the halls at school. But why are ankle braces necessary for young athletes? We checked in with Dennis Coonan, athletic trainer and Program Manager of the\u00a0Sports Medicine Center,<\/a>\u00a0para saber m\u00e1s.<\/p>\n

Why do athletes need ankle braces?<\/h2>\n

First and foremost, not all athletes need an ankle brace. But those that do usually need external ankle support for a new or a reoccurring injury. Most commonly, a lateral ankle sprain is the culprit. That can happen when an athlete steps wrong and rolls their ankle outward, makes a sudden change of direction or jumps and lands on an uneven surface.<\/p>\n

\"There are certainly other ankle and foot related injuries we see but they don't make up the bulk of the injuries especially in the pediatric population,\u201d Coonan says.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, if a young athlete sprains their ankle once, and the ligaments are stretched, there\u2019s a high rate of recurrence. Wearing braces can help prevent further time spent on the bench. However, braces alone don\u2019t prevent ankle injuries.<\/p>\n

What is proprioceptive training?<\/h2>\n

Proprioception is the body\u2019s sixth sense, a superpower that helps you know where your arms, legs and other body parts are even when you can\u2019t see them. It\u2019s the reason athletes can run without looking at their feet. Receptors around the body tell the brain about the body\u2019s state, so you always know where you are and how you\u2019re moving. Coonan notes that proprioceptive exercises are vital to prevent and improve common ankle injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cResearch points to the most effective way to prevent ankle sprains is a really strong proprioceptive training routine,\u201d Coonan says. \u201cWe push programs to incorporate one as it\u2019s an easy thing to add to warmups. That includes exercises like single leg hopping and balancing with your eyes open and eyes closed.\u201d<\/p>\n

This type of training can often go hand in hand with physical therapy to improve body awareness, motor function and balance. It\u2019s important to get guidance from a medical professional before starting an exercises if you\u2019re recently injured, but some common proprioceptive exercises for ankle sprains include:<\/p>\n