Dorsiflexion deficit during jogging with chronic ankle instability

J Sci Med Sport. 2009 Nov;12(6):685-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2008.07.003. Epub 2008 Oct 2.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine whether individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) demonstrate altered dorsiflexion/plantar flexion range of motion (ROM) compared to controls during jogging. The case control study took place in a university motion analysis laboratory. Fourteen volunteers participated in the study, seven suffered from CAI (age 25+/-4.2 years, height 173+/-9.4 cm, mass 71+/-8.1kg) and seven were healthy, matched controls (age 25+/-4.5 years, height 168+/-5.9 cm, mass 67+/-9.8kg). All subjects jogged on an instrumented treadmill while a ten-camera motion analysis system collected three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremities. The main outcome measure was sagittal plane (dorsiflexion/plantar flexion) range of motion of the ankle throughout the gait cycle. CAI subjects had significantly less dorsiflexion compared to the control group from 9% to 25% during jogging (4.83+/-0.55 degrees ). CAI subjects demonstrated limited ankle dorsiflexion ROM during the time of maximal dorsiflexion during jogging. Limited dorsiflexion ROM during gait among individuals with CAI may be a risk factor for recurrent ankle sprains. These deficits should be treated appropriately by rehabilitation clinicians.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint / physiopathology*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Gait / physiology
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Range of Motion, Articular*
  • Running / physiology*
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Young Adult