Research continues to support the use of balance training to prevent recurrent ankle sprains in athletes. One study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that a proprioceptive balance board program is effective for prevention of ankle sprain recurrences. A more recent study found that balance training reduced the risk of a noncontact inversion ankle sprain in high school football players.
To learn more about starting your own balance training program, check out Balance Training and Proprioception or How To Build Joint Stability After an Injury.
Thanks for the great information. The Woggler is an example of a balance board that has been helping rehab patients needing help with proprieception, balance and agility. Kits are available, together with training materials.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/339/jul09_1/b2684