Article

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) usually experience deficits in
balance control, which increase displacement in the body's center of pressure
(COP) when they balance on a single leg. Little is known, however, about whether
or not these individuals use the strategies of postural adjustment properly,
especially during functional tasks that may predispose them to ankle sprain. The
aim of this study was to investigate anticipatory (APA) and compensatory (CPA)
postural adjustments in individuals with and without CAI as they kick a ball
while standing in a single-leg stance with their ankle in neutral and supinated
positions. COP displacements were calculated and their magnitudes (range)
analyzed during APA and CPA intervals and over the duration of the whole task,
represented by the COP area of sway and mean velocity. The CAI group exhibited a
significant decrease in CPA and area of sway over the whole task, relative to
controls. These results suggest that the decreased balance sway could be caused
by the need for further stabilization of the ankle in more unstable postures to
prevent recurrent sprain. Our findings could help clinicians to better understand
the strategies of postural adjustments in individuals with CAI, and may assist
and motivate new investigations into balance control interventions in such
individuals, as well as proactively address recurrent ankle sprain conditions.
CI - Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS