Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2025
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Effects of differing platform orientations on forefoot and hindfoot kinematics in chronic ankle instability during
Anthony Laigo1, Takanori Kikumoto2, Tomoya Takabayashi2
1Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.
Objectives:
To investigate how modifiable landing platforms influence intra-foot movement during single-leg landings, comparing forefoot and hindfoot kinematics between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and controls to inform segment-focused rehabilitation strategies.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Setting:
Biomechanics laboratory.
Participants:
20 university students, 12 with CAI, 8 controls.
Main Outcome Measures:
Participants performed single-leg landing on platforms with three orientations (inverted, plantarflexed-everted-abducted and dorsiflexed-inverted-adducted), and four inclinations (10°, 12°, 14°, 16°). These configurations were based on prior studies and safety limits. Net frontal-plane movement of the forefoot and hindfoot was calculated across a 400ms window.
Results:
The CAI group showed significantly greater forefoot inversion (η2 = 0.32; p < 0.01) and non-significant group difference in hindfoot eversion (ƞ2 = 0.183; p = 0.06). Orientation and inclination had large effects on forefoot motion (η2 = 0.56 and 0.80, respectively; p < 0.001). A significant group × segment interaction (η2 = 0.24; p < 0.001) indicated contrasting movement between the forefoot and hindfoot in CAI, not observed in controls.
Conclusion:
Individuals with CAI demonstrated a less adaptive, segment-specific landing strategy. Findings support the use of modifiable platforms and multi-segment foot models to guide targeted interventions addressing forefoot compensation and improving segmental control during landing.
