Related Experiment Videos
Prophylactic ankle stabilizers affect ankle joint kinematics during drop landings
1Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal 61790-5120, USA. SMCCAW@ILSTU.EDU
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Ankle stabilizers can limit ankle motion during landings, potentially affecting energy absorption. This study found most stabilizers reduced dorsiflexion range of motion and angular velocity during landing.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Ankle dorsiflexion is crucial for absorbing landing impact.
- Ankle stabilizers are commonly used but may restrict natural movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare how different ankle stabilizers affect ankle joint kinematics during soft and stiff landings.
- To investigate the impact of stabilizers on dorsiflexion during dynamic activities.
Main Methods:
- 14 subjects performed two-legged landings from a 0.59m platform.
- Ankle kinematics were recorded using sagittal plane video (120 Hz).
- Five landing styles (soft/stiff) and five stabilizer conditions (none, taping, Swede-O, AirCast, Active Ankle) were tested.
Main Results:
- Landing conditions showed expected differences in kinematics.
- Most tested ankle stabilizers significantly reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to no stabilizer.
- Angular velocity of dorsiflexion was also significantly reduced by most stabilizers.
Conclusions:
- Some ankle stabilizers negatively alter ankle joint kinematics during landing.
- This alteration may impact the ankle's ability to absorb landing forces.