Differences in intra-foot movement strategies during locomotive tasks among chronic ankle instability, copers and healthy individuals

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) suffer from the resulting sequela of repetitive lateral ankle sprains (LAS), whilst copers appear to cope with initial LAS successfully. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the intra-foot biomechanical differences among CAI, copers, and healthy individuals during dynamic tasks. Twenty-two participants per group were included and required to perform cutting and different landing tasks (DL: drop landing; FL: forward jump followed a landing). A five-segment foot model with 8 degrees of freedom was used to explore the intra-foot movement among these three groups. Smaller dorsiflexion angles were found in copers (DL tasks and prelanding task) and CAI (DL and FL task) compared to healthy participants. Copers presented a more eversion position compared to others during these dynamic tasks. During the descending phase of DL task, greater dorsiflexion angles in the metatarsophalangeal joint were found in copers compared to the control group. Joint moment difference was only found in the subtalar joint during the descending phase of FL task, presenting more inversion moments in copers compared to healthy participants. Copers rely on more eversion positioning to prevent over-inversion of the subtalar joint compared to CAI. Further, the foot became more unstable when conducting sport-related movements, suggesting that foot stability seems to be sensitive to the task types. These findings may help in designing and implementing interventions to restore functions of the ankle joint in CAI individuals.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the intra-foot biomechanical differences among individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI), copers, and healthy individuals during dynamic tasks. The study found that copers and CAI individuals had smaller dorsiflexion angles and copers presented a more eversion position compared to healthy participants. Copers also had greater dorsiflexion angles in the metatarsophalangeal joint and more inversion moments in the subtalar joint during certain tasks. These findings can help in designing interventions to restore ankle joint functions in CAI individuals.