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Neuromuscular Control Mechanisms During Single‐Leg Jump Landing in Subacute Ankle Sprain Patients: A Case Control Study
Author(s) -
Allet Lara,
Zumstein Franziska,
Eichelberger Patric,
Armand Stéphane,
Punt Ilona M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.07.006
Subject(s) - medicine , ankle sprain , physical medicine and rehabilitation , ankle , jump , physical therapy , surgery , physics , quantum mechanics
Background Optimal neuromuscular control mechanisms are essential for preparing, maintaining, and restoring functional joint stability during jump landing and to prevent ankle injuries. In subacute ankle sprain patients, neither muscle activity nor kinematics during jump landing has previously been assessed. Objective To compare neuromuscular control mechanisms and kinematics between subacute ankle sprain patients and healthy persons before and during the initial contact phase of a 25‐cm single‐leg jump. Design Case‐control study. Setting University hospital. Patients Fifteen patients with grade I or II acute ankle sprains were followed up after 4 weeks of conservative management not involving physical therapy. Methods Subjects performed alternately 3 single‐leg forward jumps of 25 cm (toe‐to‐heel distance) barefoot. Their results were compared with the data of 15 healthy subjects. Main Outcome Measurements Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the musculus (m.) gastrocnemius lateralis, m. tibialis anterior, and m. peroneus longus as well as kinematics for ankle, knee, and hip joint were recorded for pre–initial contact (IC) phase, post–initial contact phase, and reflex‐induced phase. Results The results showed that EMG activity of the 3 muscles did not differ between ankle sprain patients (n = 15) and healthy persons (n = 15) for any of the analyzed time intervals (all P > .05). However, during the pre‐IC phase, ankle sprain patients presented less plantar flexion, as well as during the post‐IC phase after jump landing, compared to healthy persons ( P < .05). Conclusion Taken together, these kinematic alterations of the ankle joint can lead to neuromuscular control mechanism disturbances through which functional instability might arise. Level of Evidence III