Joint stabilizing response to expected and unexpected tilts

Gaspar Morey-Klapsing, Adamantios Arampatzis, Gert-Peter Brüggemann

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The results found in the literature regarding functional ankle joint stabilization are controversial possibly because of the testing methods used.

METHODS: The responses of 22 subjects to unexpected and expected sudden inversions of the foot were compared for all subjects together, as well as grouped by their self-perceived stability. A three-dimensional foot model was used to describe ankle and foot motion. Electromyographic signals of six muscles of the lower limb as well as the horizontal ground reaction forces were recorded.

RESULTS: Whereas unexpected and expected trials did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) in kinematics, higher activation and horizontal force integrals were found for the unexpected trials. In addition, no differences in electromyographic or ground reaction force parameters were found between stable and unstable ankles; however, the kinematics revealed higher amplitudes and velocities for the stable group.

CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of the instant of tilt enhances stabilization in that the same motion is achieved with a lower muscle activation. Evidence suggests that this is triggered at supraspinal levels. We found that timing of the EMG signal is not as relevant to stabilization as the amplitude (which has often been disregarded in the literature).

Original languageEnglish
JournalFoot & ankle international. / American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society [and] Swiss Foot and Ankle Society
Volume26
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)870-80
Number of pages11
ISSN1071-1007
Publication statusPublished - 01.10.2005

Research areas and keywords

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Perception

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