scholarly journals Ultrasound Imaging of the Gluteal Muscles During the Y-Balance Test in Individuals With or Without Chronic Ankle Instability

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra F. DeJong ◽  
L. Colby Mangum ◽  
Jay Hertel

Context Impairments in dynamic postural control and gluteal muscle activation have been associated with the development of symptoms related to long-term injury, which are characteristic of chronic ankle instability (CAI). Ultrasound imaging (USI) provides a visual means to explore muscle thickness throughout movement; however, USI functional-activation ratios (FARs) of the gluteal muscles during dynamic balance exercises have not been investigated. Objective To determine differences in gluteus maximus and gluteus medius FARs using USI, Y-Balance Test (YBT) performance, and lower extremity kinematics in individuals with or without CAI. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants Twenty adults with CAI (10 men, 10 women; age = 21.70 ± 2.32 years, height = 172.74 ± 11.28 cm, mass = 74.26 ± 15.24 kg) and 20 adults without CAI (10 men, 10 women; age = 21.20 ± 2.79 years, height = 173.18 ± 15.16 cm, mass = 70.89 ± 12.18 kg). Intervention(s) Unilateral static ultrasound images of the gluteal muscles during quiet stance and to the point of maximum YBT reach directions were obtained over 3 trials. Hip, knee, and ankle sagittal-plane kinematics were collected with motion-capture software. Main Outcome Measure(s) Gluteal thickness was normalized to quiet stance to yield FARs for each muscle in each YBT direction. We averaged normalized reach distances and obtained average peak kinematics. Independent t tests, mean differences, and Cohen d effect sizes were calculated to determine group differences for all outcome measures. Results The CAI group had anterior-reach deficits compared with the control group (mean difference = 4.37%, Cohen d = 0.77, P = .02). The CAI group demonstrated greater anterior gluteus maximus FARs than the control group (mean difference = 0.08, Cohen d = 0.57, P = .05). Conclusions The CAI group demonstrated YBT reach deficits and alterations in proximal muscle activation. Increased reliance on the gluteus maximus during dynamic conditions may contribute to distal joint dysfunction in this population.

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Chinn ◽  
Jay Dicharry ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Susan Saliba ◽  
Robert Wilder ◽  
...  

Context: Chronic ankle instability is characterized by repetitive lateral ankle sprains. Prophylactic ankle taping is a common intervention used to reduce the risk of ankle sprains. However, little research has been conducted to evaluate the effect ankle taping has on gait kinematics. Objective: To investigate the effect of taping on ankle and knee kinematics during walking and jogging in participants with chronic ankle instability. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Motion analysis laboratory. Patients or Participants: A total of 15 individuals (8 men, 7 women; age = 26.9 ± 6.8 years, height = 171.7 ± 6.3 cm, mass = 73.5 ± 10.7 kg) with self-reported chronic ankle instability volunteered. They had an average of 5.3 ± 3.1 incidences of ankle sprain. Intervention(s): Participants walked and jogged in shoes on a treadmill while untaped and taped. The tape technique was a traditional preventive taping procedure. Conditions were randomized. Main Outcome Measure(s): Frontal-plane and sagittal-plane ankle and sagittal-plane knee kinematics were recorded throughout the entire gait cycle. Group means and 90% confidence intervals were calculated, plotted, and inspected for percentages of the gait cycle in which the confidence intervals did not overlap. Results: During walking, participants were less plantar flexed from 64% to 69% of the gait cycle (mean difference = 5.73° ± 0.54°) and less inverted from 51% to 61% (mean difference = 4.34° ± 0.65°) and 76% to 81% (mean difference = 5.55° ± 0.54°) of the gait cycle when taped. During jogging, participants were less dorsiflexed from 12% to 21% (mean difference = 4.91° ± 0.18°) and less inverted from 47% to 58% (mean difference = 6.52° ± 0.12°) of the gait cycle when taped. No sagittal-plane knee kinematic differences were found. Conclusions: In those with chronic ankle instability, taping resulted in a more neutral ankle position during walking and jogging in shoes on a treadmill. This change in foot positioning and the mechanical properties of the tape may explain the protective aspect of taping in preventing lateral ankle sprains.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 599-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masafumi Terada ◽  
Brian G. Pietrosimone ◽  
Phillip A. Gribble

Context: Few authors have assessed neuromuscular knee-stabilization strategies in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) during functional activities. Objective: To investigate the influence of CAI on neuromuscular characteristics around the knee during a stop-jump task. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants or Other Participants: A total of 19 participants with self-reported unilateral CAI and 19 healthy control participants volunteered for this study. Intervention(s): Participants performed double-legged, vertical stop-jump tasks onto a force plate, and we measured muscle activation around the knee of each limb. Main Outcome Measure(s): We calculated the integrated electromyography for the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, medial hamstrings, and lateral hamstrings muscles during the 100 ms before and after initial foot contacts with the force plate and normalized by the ensemble peak electromyographic value. Knee sagittal-plane kinematics were also analyzed during a stop-jump task. Results: Compared with control participants, the CAI group demonstrated greater prelanding integrated electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis oblique (CAI = 52.28 ± 11.25%·ms, control = 43.90 ± 10.13%·ms, t36 = 2.41, P = .021, effect size = 0.78, 95% confidence interval = 0.11, 1.43) and less knee-flexion angle at the point of initial foot contact (CAI = 7.81° ± 8.27°, control = 14.09° ± 8.7°, t36 = −2.28, P = .029, effect size = −0.74, 95% confidence interval = −1.38, −0.07) and at 100 ms post–initial foot contact (CAI = 51.36° ± 5.29°, control = 58.66° ± 7.66°, t36 = −3.42, P = .002, effect size = −1.11, 95% confidence interval = −1.77, −0.40). No significant results were noted for the other electromyographic measures. Conclusions: We found altered feed-forward patterns of the vastus medialis oblique and altered postlanding knee sagittal-plane kinematics in the CAI group. These observations may provide insight regarding sensorimotor characteristics that may be associated with CAI.


2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Van Deun ◽  
Karel Stappaerts ◽  
Oron Levin ◽  
Luc Janssens ◽  
Filip Staes

Context: Acceptable measurement stability during data collection is critically important to research. To interpret differences in measurement outcomes among participants or changes within participants after an intervention program, we need to know whether the measurement is stable and consistent. Objective: To determine the within-session stability of muscle activation patterns for a voluntary postural-control task in a group of noninjured participants and a group of participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Musculoskeletal laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty control participants (8 men, 12 women; age = 21.8 ± 2.4 years, height = 164.3 ± 13.4 cm, mass = 68.4 ± 17.9 kg) and 20 participants with CAI (12 men, 8 women; age = 21.2 ± 2.1 years, height = 176 ± 10.2 cm, mass = 71.7 ± 11.3 kg). Intervention(s): Participants performed 4 barefoot standing trials, each of which included a 30-second double-legged stance followed by a 30-second single-legged stance in 3 conditions: with vision, without vision, and with vision on a balance pad. Main Outcome Measure(s): The activity of 7 muscles of the lower limb was measured for the stance task in the 3 different conditions for each trial. The onset of muscle activity and muscle recruitment order were determined and compared between the first and the fourth trials for both groups and for each condition. Results: We found no differences in the onset of muscle activity among trials for both groups or for each condition. The measurement error was 0.9 seconds at maximum for the control group and 0.12 seconds for the CAI group. In the control group, 70% to 80% of the participants used the same muscle recruitment order in both trials. In the CAI group, 75% to 90% used the same recruitment order. Conclusions: Within 1 session, measurement stability for this task was acceptable for use in further research. Furthermore, no differences were found in measurement stability across conditions in the control or CAI groups.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 684-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jun Son ◽  
Hyunsoo Kim ◽  
Matthew K. Seeley ◽  
J. Ty Hopkins

Context The literature on gait kinematics and muscle activation in chronic ankle instability (CAI) is limited. A comprehensive evaluation of all relevant gait measures is needed to examine alterations in gait neuromechanics that may contribute to recurrent sprain. Objective To compare walking neuromechanics, including kinematics, muscle activity, and kinetics (ie, ground reaction force [GRF], moment, and power), between participants with and those without CAI by applying a novel statistical analysis to data from a large sample. Design Controlled laboratory study. Setting Biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 100 participants with CAI (49 men, 51 women; age = 22.2 ± 2.3 years, height = 174.0 ± 9.7 cm, mass = 70.8 ± 14.4 kg) and 100 individuals without CAI serving as controls (55 men, 45 women; age = 22.5 ± 3.3 years, height = 173.1 ± 13.3 cm, mass = 72.6 ± 18.7 kg). Intervention(s) Participants performed 5 trials of walking (shod) at a self-selected speed over 2 in-ground force plates. Main Outcome Measure(s) Three-dimensional GRFs, lower extremity joint angles, internal joint moments, joint powers, and activation amplitudes of 6 muscles were recorded during stance. Results Compared with the control group, the CAI group demonstrated (1) increased plantar flexion or decreased dorsiflexion, increased inversion or decreased eversion, decreased knee flexion, decreased knee abduction, and increased hip-flexion angles; (2) increased or decreased inversion, increased plantar flexion, decreased knee extension, decreased knee abduction, and increased hip-extension moments; (3) increased vertical, braking, and propulsive GRFs; (4) increased hip eccentric and concentric power; and (5) altered muscle activation in all 6 lower extremity muscles. Conclusions The CAI group demonstrated a hip-dominant strategy by limiting propulsive forces at the ankle while increasing force generation at the hip. The different walking neuromechanics exhibited by the CAI group could represent maladaptive strategies that developed after the initial sprain or an injurious gait pattern that may have predisposed the participants to their initial injuries. Increased joint loading and altered kinematics at the foot and ankle complex during initial stance could affect the long-term health of the ankle articular cartilage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 698-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ty Hopkins ◽  
S. Jun Son ◽  
Hyunsoo Kim ◽  
Garritt Page ◽  
Matthew K. Seeley

Context Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is characterized by multiple sensorimotor deficits, affecting strength, postural control, motion, and movement. Identifying specific deficits is the key to developing appropriate interventions for this patient population; however, multiple movement strategies within this population may limit the ability to identify specific movement deficits. Objective To identify specific movement strategies in a large sample of participants with CAI and to characterize each strategy relative to a sample of uninjured control participants. Design Descriptive laboratory study. Setting Biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 200 individuals with CAI (104 men, 96 women; age = 22.3 ± 2.2 years, height = 174.2 ± 9.5 cm, mass = 72.0 ± 14.0 kg) were selected according to the inclusion criteria established by the International Ankle Consortium and were fit into clusters based on movement strategy. A total of 100 healthy individuals serving as controls (54 men, 46 women; age = 22.2 ± 3.0 years, height = 173.2 ± 9.2 cm, mass = 70.7 ± 13.4 kg) were compared with each cluster. Main Outcome Measure(s) Lower extremity joint biomechanics and ground reaction forces were collected during a maximal vertical jump landing, followed immediately by a side cut. Data were reduced to functional output or curves, kinematic data from the frontal and sagittal planes were reduced to a single representative curve for each plane, and representative curves were clustered using a Bayesian clustering technique. Estimated functions for each dependent variable were compared with estimated functions from the control group to describe each cluster. Results Six distinct clusters were identified from the frontal-plane and sagittal-plane data. Differences in joint angles, joint moments, and ground reaction forces between clusters and the control group were also identified. Conclusions The participants with CAI demonstrated 6 distinct movement strategies, indicating that CAI could be characterized by multiple distinct movement alterations. Clinicians should carefully evaluate patients with CAI for sensorimotor deficits and quality of movement to determine the appropriate interventions for treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 769-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsy Donnelly ◽  
Luke Donovan ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Jay Hertel

Background: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have demonstrated strength deficits compared to healthy controls; however, the influence of ankle position on force measures and surface electromyography (sEMG) activation of the peroneus longus and brevis has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare sEMG amplitudes of the peroneus longus and brevis and eversion force measures in 2 testing positions, neutral and plantarflexion, in groups with and without CAI. Methods: Twenty-eight adults (19 females, 9 males) with CAI and 28 healthy controls (19 females, 9 males) participated. Hand-held dynamometer force measures were assessed during isometric eversion contractions in 2 testing positions (neutral, plantarflexion) while surface sEMG amplitudes of the peroneal muscles were recorded. Force measures were normalized to body mass, and sEMG amplitudes were normalized to a resting period. Results: The group with CAI demonstrated less force when compared to the control group ( P < .001) in both the neutral and plantarflexion positions: neutral position, CAI: 1.64 Nm/kg and control: 2.10 Nm/kg) and plantarflexion position, CAI: 1.40 Nm/kg and control: 1.73 Nm/kg). There were no differences in sEMG amplitudes between the groups or muscles ( P > .05). Force measures correlated with both muscles’ sEMG amplitudes in the healthy group (neutral peroneus longus: r = 0.42, P = .03; plantarflexion peroneus longus: r = 0.56, P = .002; neutral peroneus brevis: r = 0.38, P = .05; plantarflexion peroneus longus: r = 0.40, P = .04), but not in the group with CAI ( P > .05). Conclusions: The group with CAI generated less force when compared to the control group during both testing positions. There was no selective activation of the peroneal muscles with testing in both positions, and force output and sEMG activity was only related in the healthy group. Clinical relevance: Clinicians should assess eversion strength and implement strength training exercises in different sagittal plane positions and evaluate for other pathologies that may contribute to reduced eversion strength in patients with CAI. Level of Evidence: Level III, cross-sectional


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheri A. Hale ◽  
Andrea Fergus ◽  
Rachel Axmacher ◽  
Kimberly Kiser

Context: Bilateral improvements in postural control have been reported among individuals with acute lateral ankle sprains and individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) when only the unstable ankle is rehabilitated. We do not know if training the stable ankle will improve function on the unstable side. Objective: To explore the effects of a unilateral balance-training program on bilateral lower extremity balance and function in individuals with CAI when only the stable limb is trained. Design: Cohort study. Setting: University clinical research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 34 volunteers (8 men, 26 women; age = 24.32 ± 4.95 years, height = 167.01 ± 9.45 cm, mass = 77.54 ± 23.76 kg) with CAI were assigned to the rehabilitation (n = 17) or control (n = 17) group. Of those, 27 (13 rehabilitation group, 14 control group) completed the study. Intervention(s): Balance training twice weekly for 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s): Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), FADI Sport (FADI-S), Star Excursion Balance Test, and Balance Error Scoring System. Results: The rehabilitation and control groups differed in changes in FADI-S and Star Excursion Balance Test scores over time. Only the rehabilitation group improved in the FADI-S and in the posteromedial and anterior reaches of the Star Excursion Balance Test. Both groups demonstrated improvements in posterolateral reach; however, the rehabilitation group demonstrated greater improvement than the control group. When the groups were combined, participants reported improvements in FADI and FADI-S scores for the unstable ankle but not the stable ankle. Conclusions: Our data suggest training the stable ankle may result in improvements in balance and lower extremity function in the unstable ankle. This further supports the existence of a centrally mediated mechanism in the development of postural-control deficits after injury, as well as improved postural control after rehabilitation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 801-810
Author(s):  
M. Spencer Cain ◽  
Rebecca J. Ban ◽  
Yu-Ping Chen ◽  
Mark D. Geil ◽  
Benjamin M. Goerger ◽  
...  

Context Researchers have shown that rehabilitation programs incorporating resistance-band and balance-board exercises are effective for improving clinical measures of function and patient-reported outcomes in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, whether combining the 2 exercises increases improvement is unknown. Objective To determine the effectiveness of 3 rehabilitation programs on clinical measures of balance and self-reported function in adolescent patients with CAI. Design Randomized controlled clinical trial (Trail Registration Number: ClinicalTrails.gov: NCT03447652). Setting High school athletic training facilities. Patients or Other Participants Forty-three patients with CAI (age = 16.37 ± 1.00 years, height = 171.75 ± 12.05 cm, mass = 69.38 ± 18.36 kg) were block randomized into 4 rehabilitation groups. Intervention(s) Protocols were completed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The resistance-band group performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions of ankle plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion with a resistance band. The Biomechanical Ankle Platform System group performed 5 trials of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations, changing direction every 10 seconds during each 40-second trial. The combination group completed resistance-band and Biomechanical Ankle Platform System programs during each session. The control group did not perform any exercises. Main Outcome Measure(s) Variables were assessed before and after the intervention: time-in-balance test, foot-lift test, Star Excursion Balance Test, side-hop test, figure-8 hop test, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool. We conducted 4 separate multivariate repeated-measures analyses of variance, followed by univariate analyses for any findings that were different. Results Using the time-in-balance test, foot-lift test, Star Excursion Balance Test (medial, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions), and figure-8 hop test, we detected improvement for each rehabilitation group compared with the control group (P &lt; .05). However, no intervention group was superior. Conclusions All 3 rehabilitation groups demonstrated improvement compared with the control group, yet the evidence was too limited to support a superior intervention. Over a 4-week period, either of the single-task interventions or the combination intervention can be used to combat the residual deficits associated with CAI in an adolescent patient population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 809-816
Author(s):  
Ji-Hyun Lee ◽  
Tae-Lim Yoon

Context:Kinesiology tape (KT), multidirectional resistance exercise, and interventions for decreased ankle dorsiflexion range of motion are gaining popularity in the treatment of patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of combined interventions in patients with CAI.Objectives:To compare the effects of KT alone, KT with resistance exercise (KT + resistance), and KT with resistance and heel raise-lower exercise (KT + resistance + heel) on the results of the dynamic balance test (star excursion balance test [SEBT]), functional performance (lateral step-down test), and ankle muscle activation in patients with CAI.Design and Setting:This study used a repeated-measures design in a laboratory setting.Main Outcome Measures:The participants completed 3 different interventions with a 24-hour rest period between interventions. The SEBT, lateral step-down test, and ankle muscle activation results were used as the outcome measures. All outcomes were assessed before and immediately after the 3 interventions.Results:The results of the SEBT-anteromedial direction significantly increased with KT + resistance (78.61 [16.11] cm,P = .01, ES = 0.50) and KT + resistance + heel (76.94 [16.00] cm,P = .03, ES = 0.33) in comparison with the baseline values (73.68 [12.84] cm). Additionally, the result of the SEBT-anteromedial direction was significantly greater with KT + resistance (78.61 [16.11] cm) than with KT alone (76.00 [14.90] cm,P = .05, ES = 0.18). The number of errors during the lateral step-down test was significantly lower for the KT alone (2.16 [0.90] errors,P = .02, ES = 0.46), KT + resistance (2.10 [0.79] errors,P = .01, ES = 0.54), and KT + resistance + heel (2.03 [0.75] errors,P = .003, ES = 0.61) interventions than the baseline values (2.55 [0.85] errors).Conclusions:Patients with CAI should be encouraged to perform KT + resistance to improve balance.


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