Sensorimotor deficits with ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Sensorimotor deficits are a known issue in patients with ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability.
• Research has identified potential physiological explanations for these deficits over several decades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the physiological explanations for sensorimotor deficits in chronic ankle instability.
• To understand the specific alterations in conscious perception, reflex responses, and motor control.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of sensorimotor measures in patients with ankle instability.
• Review of existing research literature on ankle instability and sensorimotor control.

Main Results:

• Alterations in conscious perception of somatosensory information are evident.
• Deficits in reflex responses and efferent motor control are present.
• Both feedback and feedforward motor control mechanisms are demonstrably altered.

Conclusions:

• Sensorimotor deficits, including altered perception and motor control, are characteristic of ankle instability.
• The precise origin of these deficits (ligamentous, spinal, or supraspinal) requires further investigation.
• Altered feedback and feedforward mechanisms are key components of motor control deficits in ankle instability.