Dorsiflexion deficit during jogging with chronic ankle instability

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 ill 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 +/- 8.1 kg) and seven were healthy, matched controls (age 25 +/- 4.5 years, height 168 +/- 5.9 cm. mass 67 +/- 9.8 kg). 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% (Wring 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. (C) 2008 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Lid. All rights reserved.