The Efficacy of an Exercise-Therapy Program on Functional and Psychological Indices in Female Taekwondo Athletes Post-Injury

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of a therapeutic exercise program on self-efficacy, pain, and range of motion (ROM) in female taekwondo athletes with a Grade II Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) tear. This applied research employed a semi-experimental design with a pre-test/post-test and a control group. The participants consisted of 30 adult female taekwondo athletes with a diagnosed Grade II ATFL tear, selected via judicious and convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The diagnosis was confirmed through clinical assessment and MRI scans evaluated by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. Data were collected using the Athletic Self-Efficacy Scale, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire, and a goniometer for active ankle ROM. The experimental group underwent a supervised exercise protocol for eight weeks, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. The results from the repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of the time factor on all dependent variables: self-efficacy (p=0.011), pain (p=0.001), and ROM (p=0.011). A significant main effect of the group factor was also found for self-efficacy (p=0.039), pain (p=0.03), and ROM (p=0.001). Furthermore, the interaction effect between time and group was significant for pain (p=0.001) and ROM (p=0.050). However, this interaction was not significant for self-efficacy (p=0.231). Given the significant positive effects of the therapeutic exercise program on reducing pain and improving both ROM and self-efficacy, it is recommended to develop targeted rehabilitation protocols incorporating strengthening and stretching exercises for the ankle joint.