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Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
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Biomechanical Response to External Biofeedback During Functional Tasks in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability
Danielle M Torp1, Abbey C Thomas1, Tricia Hubbard-Turner1
1Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Journal of Athletic Training
|November 5, 2020
Summary
Real-time biofeedback, using visual or auditory cues, improved balance strategies and altered foot pressure distribution in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). These findings suggest biofeedback can effectively modify biomechanics during functional tasks.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is linked to recurrent injuries and osteoarthritis due to altered biomechanics.
- Current interventions often fail to correct these aberrant biomechanics.
- External biofeedback is being explored as a potential method to modify biomechanics in real-time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate effects of visual and auditory biofeedback on functional task biomechanics in individuals with CAI.
- To assess if real-time biofeedback can lead to observable changes in movement patterns.
Main Methods:
- A crossover study design was employed in a laboratory setting.
- Nineteen physically active adults with CAI participated.
- Participants performed balance, step down, hop, and lunge tasks under baseline and two biofeedback conditions (visual and auditory).
Main Results:
- Both visual and auditory biofeedback modulated center-of-pressure (COP) distribution during balance tasks.
- Visual biofeedback increased lateral heel pressure during hops.
- Auditory biofeedback influenced pressure during step downs and lunges, with some differences noted between eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions.
Conclusions:
- Real-time biofeedback, both visual and auditory, demonstrated immediate improvements in balance strategies.
- External biofeedback appears effective in moderating biomechanics during various functional tasks in individuals with CAI.
