Abstract

Ankle instability (AI) and fatigue impair neuromuscular control as well as dynamic joint stability of the lower extremity. No one has comprehensively examined the effects of AI and fatigue on neuromechanics of the lower extremity during a functional activity. Deficits associated with AI and fatigue could be additive in increasing the risk for injury in patients with AI. PURPOSE: To examine the interaction of AI and fatigue on lower extremity muscle activity, kinematic, and kinetic patterns during a forward-side jump. METHODS: 25 AI (23.3 ± 1.9 yrs, 176.5 ± 10.5 cm, 70.9 ± 11.4 kg), and 25 matched control subjects (23.7 ± 2.5 yrs, 175.0 ± 10.8 cm, 70.3 ± 12.8 kg) were categorized according to the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) (ADL: 84.3 ± 7.6%, Sport: 63.6 ± 8.6%) and the Modified Ankle Instability Instrument (MAII) (3.7 ± 1.2). Fifty-nine reflective markers were place over anatomical landmarks and eight electromyography (EMG) electrodes were placed on tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), medial gastrocmedius (MG), medial hamstring (MH), vastus lateralis (VL), adductor longus (AL), gluteus medius (GMed), and gluteus maximus (GMax) muscles in the involved leg. Subjects performed five forward-side jumps on a force plate before and after functional fatiguing exercises. To induce fatigue, subjects began 5-min incremental running on a treadmill between 5 and 6 mph. Next, subjects performed 20-second lateral counter movement jumps (CMJ), and 20 vertical CMJs. After each fatigue cycle, subjects performed one max vertical jump. Subjects repeated three exercises until Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) reached 17 and the vertical jump height fell below 80% of their max jump height. Functional analysis of variance (FANOVA) (p < 0.05) was used to evaluate differences (a group by fatigue interaction) between two conditions (pre- vs post-fatigue) in each group (AI and control) for lower-extremity kinematic, kinetic and neuromuscular patterns. Pairwise comparison functions as well as 95% confidence interval (CI) bands were plotted to determine specific differences. If 95% CI bands did not cross the zero line, we considered the difference significant. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the AI group demonstrated less range of dorsiflexion, knee and hip flexion motions during early phase of landing after fatigue. For sagittal-plane hip kinetics, subjects with AI decreased the hip extension moment while control subjects increased hip extension moments during landing following functional fatiguing exercise. The AI group showed less reduction of anterior-posterior ground reaction force (AP GRF) during transition phase of a forward-side jump after fatigue compared to control subjects. The AI group decreased EMG amplitude of PL, MH, and GMed while increased VL and GMax during landing after fatigue compared to control subjects. CONCLUSION: AI subjects demonstrated greater impairments in neuromechanical control patterns than a matched control group during a sport movement as fatigue progressed. Compared to AI group, control subjects showed a coordinated joint control strategy after fatigue, increasing joint angles from distal (ankle) to proximal (hip) joints by increasing hip extensor moments during landing from a forward-side jump in an attempt to reduce ground impact force. EMG alterations were consistent with patterns observed in injured patients, which may predispose patients to poor positions associated with lower extremity joint injury. These interactions between neuromuscular fatigue and AI may predispose individuals to lower extremity injuries.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Life Sciences; Exercise Sciences

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2015-06-01

Document Type

Dissertation

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd7920

Keywords

ankle instability, fatigue, kinematics, kinetics, electromyography

Language

english

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