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Dynamic Step-Down Tasks Reveal Altered Lower Limb Biomechanics in Chronic Ankle Instability.
Nader Farahpour1, Usef Mohammadi Yaghoubi1, Shawn Robbins2
1Department of Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
|January 9, 2026
Summary
Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) display altered hip and ankle movement patterns during step-down tasks, indicating a higher injury risk. Strengthening hip muscles is recommended for rehabilitation to reduce this risk.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Chronic ankle instability (CAI) affects dynamic movement biomechanics.
- Understanding these alterations is crucial for effective rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific movement patterns in individuals with CAI during a step-down task.
- To compare biomechanics between CAI participants and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen CAI participants and 17 healthy controls performed a step-down task from 20 cm and 40 cm.
- Lower limb joint angles, range of motion (ROM), moments, and power were measured.
- Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analyzed group differences across the movement.
Main Results:
- CAI group showed greater hip abduction and reduced knee abduction/ankle external rotation moments at 20 cm.
- At 40 cm, CAI group exhibited greater hip abduction, reduced ankle eversion angles, and smaller hip/knee/ankle moments.
- No significant differences in ROM or power were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- CAI is associated with increased hip abduction, decreased ankle eversion, and diminished muscle moments, elevating injury risk.
- Rehabilitation should focus on hip muscle strengthening to mitigate injury risk in CAI individuals.
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