A 3D motion capture analysis of a giving-way ankle episode during a 180-degree pivot turn: A case report

Lateral ankle sprains are highly prevalent during sporting activities, as it accounts for approximately 60% of all athletic injuries. There is currently a paucity of research which provides kinetic and kinematic assessments of sprains and giving-way episodes of the ankle joint. The aim of this case study was to examine the kinetics and kinematics of the ankle and knee during a giving-way episode in a female ice hockey player during a 180-degree pivot turn, which was conducted in a 3D motion capture laboratory. Three trials were conducted on this participant (one accident trial, two control trials). Kinetic and kinematic analysis was conducted on the outside leg during a left 180-degree pivot turn (right leg). The plantarflexion angle of the giving-way trial was larger than the control trials from the point of initial contact until the end of the trial. Inversion was also 27-degrees greater 150 ms after initial contact in the giving-way trial and 26-degrees greater compared to control trials 1 and 2. Substantially greater plantarflexion, inversion and internal rotation angles of the ankle were observed during the giving-way trial compared to control trials. The maximum vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces, as well as ankle inversion and internal rotation moments, were lower for the giving-way trial in comparison to the control trials. Further research is needed to understand the influence of plantarflexion angle with a giving-way episode of the ankle. This study provides valuable kinetic and kinematic information regarding a giving-way episode of the ankle.