Question

A 17-year-old female basketball player sustained a Grade II inversion ankle sprain. Which of the following functional progressions BEST represents the actions she should be required to perform before returning to play?

Choose only one.
a. Carioca, back pedaling, free-throw shooting, and timed wind sprints
b. Carioca, jump rope, lay-up drills, and figure eights
c. Jogging, acceleration while running forward, figure eights, and zigzag patterns
d. Lay-up drills, carioca, back pedaling, and jump rope
e. One-legged hops, carioca, back pedaling, and jump rope

Answer 1

The appropriate functional progressions for a basketball player returning from a Grade II inversion ankle sprain include activities like jogging, accelerations, figure eights, and zigzag patterns to mimic on-court movements. So option (c) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a 17-year-old female basketball player who sustained a Grade II inversion ankle sprain, the functional progressions that represent the best approach for returning to play would be a sequence of activities that gradually increase in intensity and complexity, designed to mimic basketball movements.

Jogging helps reintroduce controlled impact and weight-bearing, allowing the player to gradually regain confidence in her ability to move. Acceleration while running forward helps improve speed and agility, essential components for basketball players.

Figure eights and zigzag patterns incorporate lateral movements, challenging the ankle's stability and promoting neuromuscular control. These patterns mimic the demands of basketball, where players frequently change direction.

This functional progression ensures a systematic return to the specific movements and skills required in basketball, minimizing the risk of re-injury. The other options either include exercises that may be too advanced for the current stage of recovery or lack the necessary progression in terms of intensity and complexity.