Dorsiflexion deficit during jogging with chronic ankle instability.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common condition following an initial ankle sprain.
• Limited range of motion (ROM) is often reported in individuals with CAI, but its impact during dynamic activities like jogging is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion range of motion (ROM) during jogging between individuals with CAI and healthy controls.
• To identify potential biomechanical factors contributing to recurrent ankle sprains in CAI populations.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted in a university motion analysis laboratory.
• Fourteen participants (7 with CAI, 7 healthy controls) underwent 3D kinematic analysis while jogging on an instrumented treadmill.
• Sagittal plane ankle ROM (dorsiflexion/plantar flexion) was measured throughout the gait cycle.

Main Results:

• Subjects with CAI demonstrated significantly less ankle dorsiflexion compared to the control group during a specific phase of jogging (9%-25% of the gait cycle).
• The mean difference in dorsiflexion was 4.83 ± 0.55 degrees during the maximal dorsiflexion phase.
• CAI subjects exhibited limited ankle dorsiflexion ROM during the critical period of maximal dorsiflexion in the jogging gait cycle.

Conclusions:

• Limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during jogging is a characteristic finding in individuals with chronic ankle instability.
• This biomechanical deficit may serve as a risk factor for recurrent ankle sprains.
• Rehabilitation clinicians should address these dorsiflexion deficits in the management of CAI.