Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
The effect of ankle and knee immobilization on postural control during standing
Hye-Seon Jeon1, Sujin Hwang, Young-Keun Woo
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University. Institute of Health Science, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
Background:
This study examined the effects of ankle and knee joint immobilization on postural control in healthy young adults while standing.
Methods:
The 24 participants included in this study participated in postural standing tests under four different constraint conditions: free joints, ankle immobilization only, knee immobilization only, and ankle-knee immobilization. Tests were performed using a commercial balancing equipment (Biodex(TM), Inc., NY, USA) and software.
Results:
The overall limit-of-stability score and duration to completion of task were obtained at 75% limit-of-stability (moderate level of difficulty). The overall limit-of-stability score of free joints (34.5±9.1) were significantly different with the ankle immobilization only (26.0±11.6), and ankle-knee immobilization (26.4±7.4) conditions. The test duration increased in the following order: free joints (57.8±10.9), knee immobilization only (62.5±14.0), ankle immobilization only (68.0±14.9), and ankle-knee immobilization (69.4±17.7). The duration of the free joint condition greatly decreased than ankle immobilization only and ankle-knee immobilization conditions.
Conclusions:
The ankle and knee joints have sufficient range of motion to prevent falls related to decrease postural stability due to insufficient range of motion or to improve postural stability.
