The relationship between joint kinematic patterns during single-leg drop landing and perceived instability in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

BACKGROUND: Perceived instability is a primary symptom among individuals with chronic ankle instability. However, the relationship between joint kinematics during landing remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relationships between landing kinematics and perceived instability in individuals with chronic ankle instability. METHODS: In 32 individuals with chronic ankle instability, we recorded ankle, knee, and hip joint angles during a single-leg drop landing. Joint angle waveforms during 200 ms before and after initial contact were summarized into single values using two methods: peak joint angles and principal component scores via principal component analysis. Using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ), we examined the relationships of peak joint angles and principal component scores with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool score, with a lower score indicating a greater perceived instability (α = 0.05). FINDINGS: The second principal component scores of ankle angle in the horizontal and sagittal planes significantly correlated with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool score (Horizontal: ρ = 0.507, P = 0.003; Sagittal: ρ = -0.359, P = 0.044). These scores indicated the differences in the magnitude of angles before and after landing. Significant correlations indicated a greater perceived instability correlated with smaller internal rotation and plantarflexion before landing and smaller external rotation and dorsiflexion after landing. In contrast, no peak joint angles correlated with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool score (P > 0.05). INTERPRETATION: In individuals with chronic ankle instability, ankle movements during landing associated with perceived instability may be a protective strategy before landing and potentially cause ankle instability after landing.

Kinesiophobia, self-reported ankle function, and sex are associated with perceived ankle instability in college club sports athletes with chronic ankle instability.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between sex, self-reported ankle function, pain intensity, kinesiophobia, and perceived ankle instability in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). DESIGN: Cross-Sectional Study. SETTING: University. PARTICIPANTS: College club sports athletes with CAI (n = 42). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relationships with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) score and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), sex (0: male, 1: female), and ankle pain intensity by the Numeric Rating Scale were explored with multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The regression model explained 50.3% of the variance of the CAIT score (P < 0.001), and the TSK-11 score (B = -0.382, P = 0.002), the FAAM sports subscale score (B = 0.122, P = 0.038), and sex (B = -2.646, P = 0.031) were significant independent variables for the CAIT score (P < 0.001), while pain intensity was not significant (B = -0.182, P = 0.504). These results indicated that higher TSK-11 score, lower FAAM sports subscale score, and being female were related to lower CAIT score. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesiophobia related to perceived instability along with self-reported function and sex in athletes with CAI. Clinicians should assess the psychological aspects of athletes with CAI.