scholarly journals Characterization of Multiple Movement Strategies in Participants With Chronic Ankle Instability

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 1296-1303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Karimizadeh Ardakani ◽  
Erik A. Wikstrom ◽  
Hooman Minoonejad ◽  
Reza Rajabi ◽  
Ali Sharifnezhad

Context Hopping exercises are recommended as a functional training tool to prevent lower limb injury, but their effects on lower extremity biomechanics in those with chronic ankle instability (CAI) are unclear. Objective To determine if jump-landing biomechanics change after a hop-stabilization intervention. Design Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants Twenty-eight male collegiate basketball players with CAI were divided into 2 groups: hop-training group (age = 22.78 ± 3.09 years, mass = 82.59 ± 9.51 kg, height = 187.96 ± 7.93 cm) and control group (age = 22.57 ± 2.76 years, mass = 78.35 ± 7.02 kg, height = 185.69 ± 7.28 cm). Intervention(s) A 6-week supervised hop-stabilization training program that consisted of 18 training sessions. Main Outcome Measure(s) Lower extremity kinetics and kinematics during a jump-landing task and self-reported function were assessed before and after the 6-week training program. Results The hop-stabilization program resulted in improved self-reported function (P < .05), larger sagittal-plane hip- and knee-flexion angles, and greater ankle dorsiflexion (P < .05) relative to the control group. Reduced frontal-plane joint angles at the hip, knee, and ankle as well as decreased ground reaction forces and a longer time to peak ground reaction forces were observed in the hopping group compared with the control group after the intervention (P < .05). Conclusions The 6-week hop-stabilization training program altered jump-landing biomechanics in male collegiate basketball players with CAI. These results may provide a potential mechanistic explanation for improvements in patient-reported outcomes and reductions in injury risk after ankle-sprain rehabilitation programs that incorporate hop-stabilization exercises.


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.


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


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Collin Herb ◽  
Kaitlyn Grossman ◽  
Mark A. Feger ◽  
Luke Donovan ◽  
Jay Hertel

Context:  Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by range-of-motion, neuromuscular, and postural-control deficits and subjective disability, reinjury, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Differences have been reported in kinematics, kinetics, surface electromyography (EMG), and ground reaction forces during functional tasks performed by those with CAI. These measures are often collected independently, and the research on collecting measures simultaneously during a movement task is limited. Objective:  To assess the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), and EMG of 4 shank muscles during a drop–vertical-jump (DVJ) task. Design:  Controlled laboratory study. Setting:  Motion-capture laboratory. Patients or Other Participants:  Forty-seven young, active adults in either the CAI (n = 24) or control (n = 23) group. Intervention(s):  Three-dimensional motion capture was performed using an electromagnetic motion-capture system. Lower extremity kinematics, frontal- and sagittal-plane kinetics, vGRF, and EMG of the shank musculature were collected while participants performed 10 DVJs. Main Outcome Measure(s):  Means and 90% confidence intervals were calculated for all measures from 100 milliseconds before to 200 milliseconds after force-plate contact. Results:  Patients with CAI had greater inversion from 107 to 200 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 4.01° ± 2.55°), smaller plantar-flexion kinematics from 11 to 71 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 5.33° ± 2.02°), greater ankle sagittal-plane kinetics from 11 to 77 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 0.17 ± 0.09 Nm/kg) and from 107 to 200 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 0.23 ± 0.03 Nm/kg), and smaller knee sagittal-plane kinematics from 95 to 200 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 8.23° ± 0.97°) than control participants after landing. The patients with CAI had greater vGRF from 94 to 98 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 0.83 ± 0.03 N/kg) and peroneal activity from 17 to 128 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 10.56 ± 4.52 N/kg) than the control participants. Conclusions:  Patients with CAI presented with differences in their landing strategies that may be related to continued instability. Kinematic and kinetic changes after ground contact and greater vGRF may be related to a faulty landing strategy. The DVJ task should be considered for rehabilitation protocols in these individuals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Hongsuk Lee ◽  
Hyunsoo Kim ◽  
Ty Hopkins ◽  
S. Jun Son

PURPOSE:This study aimed to identify differences in ankle laxity in chronic ankle instability (CAI), coper, and control groups, and a correlation between ankle laxity, self-reported function, and perceived instability.METHODS: Sixty-six participants (22 CAI patients, 22 copers, and 22 controls) selected by recommendations of the International Ankle Consortium volunteered for this study. Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-ADL), FAAM-Sports, and Ankle Instability Instrument (AII) were used to assess participants’ self-reported function and perceived instability. The FAAMADL and FAAM-Sports are reported as a percentage. Higher scores indicate better function. The AII is reported as “yes” responses while more “yes” responses indicate higher instability. Three trials of anterior/posterior (A/P) displacement and inversion/eversion (I/E) displacement were assessed by an instrumented ankle arthrometer. Greater displacement indicates higher laxity. The ankle positioned in sagittal- and frontal-plane neutral while A/P and I/E displacement were assessed with 125 N and 4 N-m, respectively. The means of three trials were used for data analysis. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc comparisons (α=0.05) were performed to identify differences in ankle laxity between groups. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify a relationship between ankle laxity, self-reported function, and perceived instability.RESULTS: CAI patients show greater A/P displacement compared to control group (p<.03), and greater I/E displacement compared to coper and control groups (p<.03). Several positive and negative correlations were found between ankle laxity, self-reported function, and perceived instability (p<.00).CONCLUSIONS: As self-reported function and perceived instability are correlated with greater laxity (I/E displacement), improving static stability (ankle laxity) may play an important role in improving perceived ankle function and instability in CAI.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072199707
Author(s):  
Yasunari Ikuta ◽  
Tomoyuki Nakasa ◽  
Junichi Sumii ◽  
Akinori Nekomoto ◽  
Nobuo Adachi

Background: Rotational ankle instability (RAI) is associated with the faster onset of severe ankle osteoarthritis via dysfunction of the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and deltoid ligament. No specific clinical examination is available for RAI, and diagnostic imaging has limitations in evaluating ligament degradation. This study investigated the deltoid ligament degeneration using Hounsfield unit (HU) values on computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: Patients were enrolled in this retrospective analysis if they had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scans of the ankle. The chronic ankle instability (CAI) group comprised 20 ankles with CAI (9 men, 11 women; mean age, 28.7 years) and the control group comprised 28 ankles (16 men, 12 women, mean age, 41.3 years). The average HU values of the deep posterior tibiotalar ligament (dPTL) that constitutes the deltoid ligament were measured on coronal CT images, and MRI results were used as a reference. All patients were subdivided based on the MRI findings of dPTL injury such as fascicular disruption, irregularity, and the loss of striation. Results: A strong negative correlation was identified between age and HU values for all patients (Spearman ρ = −0.63; P < .001). The mean HU values of the dPTL for participants aged <60 years were 81.0 HU for the control group (21 ankles) and 69.5 HU for the CAI group ( P = .0075). No significant differences in the HU values were observed for the dPTL among the MRI subgroups. Conclusion: In addition to the conventional imaging examination such as stress radiographs and MRI, HU measurements of CT images could be useful for quantitatively and noninvasively evaluating degenerative changes in the deltoid ligament for CAI patients to assist the diagnosis of RAI. Level of Evidence: Level III. case-control study.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-C. Lin ◽  
H.-C. Hsu ◽  
T.-W. Lu

ABSTRACTStair locomotion is an important but challenging functional activity for people with lower limb pathology. This study aimed to investigate the bilateral changes in force-bearing on lower limbs during stair locomotion in patients with unilateral ACL deficiency. The ground reaction forces (GRF) were collected from three force platforms: One at ground level in front of a 5-step stair and two on the first two steps respectively. Parameters in vertical and anterior-posterior GRF were extracted and compared between the ACL-deficient (ACLD) and control groups. The ACLD group showed significantly slower stepping cadences in both stair ascent and stepping down to the ground (p < 0.05). The vertical GRF in the ACLD group demonstrated smaller peak forces but larger minimum forces between the two peaks than those in the control group during both stair ascent and descent. Significantly reduced anterior propulsive forces and push-off rates in the late stance were also found in both limbs of the ACLD group (p < 0.05). The slower cadences and reduced force-bearing on the affected limb suggested a protective strategy was adopted. However, the anterior loading parameters in the early stance on the unaffected limb demonstrated different adaptations with significantly larger magnitudes during stair ascent but reduced magnitudes during stair descent (p < 0.05). Similar results were also found in the weight- transferring strategies between legs in consecutive steps with a significantly larger percentage of lift-up forces but a smaller percentage of impact forces on the leading unaffected limb. The results of this study indicated a cautious force-bearing strategy and bilateral adaptation were apparent in the patients with unilateral ACL deficiency. This information may provide a safety guideline for the patients and be helpful for a better use of the stair tasks as part of a rehabilitation program.


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