Cathleen N Brown1, Richard Mynark. 1. Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Ramsey Center, 300 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-6554, USA. browncn@uga.edu
Abstract
CONTEXT: Deficits in static and dynamic stability during single-leg stance have been noted in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), but few investigators have tested subjects for subtle deficits in dynamic balance. Subtle deficits in dynamic balance during a double-leg stance may reveal changes in the sensorimotor system because of CAI. OBJECTIVE: To use a standardized tibial nerve stimulation as a perturbation to test for dynamic balance deficits between a group of recreational athletes with CAI and a group of recreational athletes with stable ankles. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Twenty recreational athletes with CAI and 20 recreational athletes with stable ankles. INTERVENTION(S): Balance deficits were assessed for each subject during static and dynamic trials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to stabilization and center-of-pressure excursion path length, velocity, and area from ground reaction forces during double-leg stance were collected through a forceplate. We used an accelerometer to measure tibial acceleration. Data were collected during static stance and during a bilateral perturbation using maximal motor neuron recruitment elicited by electric stimulation of the tibial nerve. RESULTS: Only time to stabilization in the anterior-posterior direction was significantly different between groups ( P = .04), with the CAI group taking longer to return to a stable range of ground reaction forces. We found no other differences in stability measures between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic balance in double-leg stance as measured by time to stabilization appears to be affected in individuals with CAI. Deficits in the response to external perturbation may indicate subtle central sensorimotor changes.
CONTEXT: Deficits in static and dynamic stability during single-leg stance have been noted in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), but few investigators have tested subjects for subtle deficits in dynamic balance. Subtle deficits in dynamic balance during a double-leg stance may reveal changes in the sensorimotor system because of CAI. OBJECTIVE: To use a standardized tibial nerve stimulation as a perturbation to test for dynamic balance deficits between a group of recreational athletes with CAI and a group of recreational athletes with stable ankles. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Twenty recreational athletes with CAI and 20 recreational athletes with stable ankles. INTERVENTION(S): Balance deficits were assessed for each subject during static and dynamic trials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to stabilization and center-of-pressure excursion path length, velocity, and area from ground reaction forces during double-leg stance were collected through a forceplate. We used an accelerometer to measure tibial acceleration. Data were collected during static stance and during a bilateral perturbation using maximal motor neuron recruitment elicited by electric stimulation of the tibial nerve. RESULTS: Only time to stabilization in the anterior-posterior direction was significantly different between groups ( P = .04), with the CAI group taking longer to return to a stable range of ground reaction forces. We found no other differences in stability measures between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic balance in double-leg stance as measured by time to stabilization appears to be affected in individuals with CAI. Deficits in the response to external perturbation may indicate subtle central sensorimotor changes.
Authors: Cailbhe Doherty; Chris M Bleakley; Jay Hertel; Brian Caulfield; John Ryan; Eamonn Delahunt Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2015-03-26 Impact factor: 2.860
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