Athletes with chronic ankle instability demonstrate altered ankle angle variability during running compared to copers

Wanner P, Schmautz T, Kluge F, Eskofier B, Pfeifer K, Steib S (2019)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2019

Conference Proceedings Title: Abstractband zur 16. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportmotorik

Event location: Bern CH

URI: https://boris.unibe.ch/123517/

DOI: 10.7892/boris.123517

Abstract

Introduction

Lateral ankle sprains are the most common sport injury to the lower extremity, and at least one third of the affected athletes develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Changes in ankle kinematics during running have been demonstrated in CAI compared to uninjured individuals (Moisan et al., 2017). However, little is known about differences between individuals with CAI and those who recovered successfully from an initial ankle sprain (coper). The aim of this study was to compare ankle kinematics and variability during running between athletes with CAI and copers.

Methods

Thirty-two male recreational athletes with prior ankle sprain were investigated, eighteen with CAI (age: 24.7±3.0 years, Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT): 21.9±3.4) and fourteen copers (age: 25.5±3.7 years, CAIT: 28.1±1.7). Running analysis was performed on an instrumented treadmill at two individual running speeds: velocity 1 (2.63±0.20 m/s, pace at RPE=14); velocity 2 (3.83±0.20 m/s; first velocity plus 1.2 m/s). Mean ankle joint kinematics and variability were analyzed. Variability was calculated as intra-individual stride-to-stride standard deviation. The statistical parametric mapping (SPM) method, which adjusts for multiple testing, was applied and effect sizes were calculated to identify possible group differences.

Results

At both running velocities, no statistically significant differences in mean ankle kinematics were observed. At high running velocity, athletes with CAI demonstrated significantly increased frontal plane variability at 16-19% of the running cycle (p= 0.009). Additionally, large between-group effect sizes (Hedges’ g ≥ 0.8) may potentially indicate increased frontal plane variability during initial contact and terminal swing, as well as decreased variability in the sagittal plane at 34-35%. A similar tendency existed at moderate velocity, with large effect sizes indicating decreased dorsiflexion at 75-89% in CAI, as well as an increased frontal plane variability at 16-25%, and 97-99%.

Discussion

Compared to copers, individuals with CAI demonstrated increased variability of ankle kinematics in the frontal plane, while mean ankle kinematics seems minimally affected. Increased ankle variability at high running velocity may best reflect persisting sensorimotor control deficits in athletes with chronically instable ankles. These findings may indicate altered sensorimotor control adaptations rather than only mechanical insufficiencies in CAI that may explain feelings of giving-way and present a potential re-injury risk factor.

References

Moisan, G., Descarreaux, M., & Cantin, V. (2017). Effects of chronic ankle instability on kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during walking and running: A systematic review. Gait & Posture, 52, 381–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.11.037

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APA:

Wanner, P., Schmautz, T., Kluge, F., Eskofier, B., Pfeifer, K., & Steib, S. (2019). Athletes with chronic ankle instability demonstrate altered ankle angle variability during running compared to copers. In Klostermann, A., Vater, C., & Hossner, E.-J. (Eds.), Abstractband zur 16. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportmotorik. Bern, CH.

MLA:

Wanner, Philipp, et al. "Athletes with chronic ankle instability demonstrate altered ankle angle variability during running compared to copers." Proceedings of the Sportmotorik 2019. Adaptation, Lernen und virtuelle Welten, Bern Ed. Klostermann, A., Vater, C., & Hossner, E.-J., 2019.

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