Alterations in Lower Limb Biomechanical Characteristics During the Cutting Manoeuvre in Chronic Ankle Instability Population and Copers

Abstract

Understanding the lower limb biomechanical characteristics of chronic ankle instability (CAI) individuals and copers could provide the insight into the mechanism of repetitive lateral ankle sprains (LAS). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the lower limb joint angles, joint moments, and joint stiffness among CAI, copers and healthy individuals during the stance phase of the cutting task. Twenty-two participants per group were included and required to perform the cutting task. Joint angles, moments and stiffness of the hip, knee and ankle during the stance phase of the cutting tasks were acquired. Main differences were found in the angles of the hip and ankle joints. CAI individuals presented smaller hip extension angle, and more ankle inversion angles during the stance phase compared to copers. Copers showed more dorsiflexion angles compared to the healthy group, and greater plantar flexion moment compared to individuals with CAI as well as healthy individuals. Thus, copers may use a more dorsiflexed ankle as a protective strategy to reduce the risk of repetitive LAS. The altered lower limb movement strategies in CAI individuals and copers could help explore the impacts of LAS.

Keywords

• joint stiffness
• chronic ankle instability
• coper
• lateral ankle sprain
• side-turning