The relationship between ankle joint physiological characteristics and balance control during unilateral stance

Amin, DJ; Herrington, LC

Abstract

Background
The role that the ankle's physiological characteristics play in maintaining balance during quiet stance has been well documented. However, the role of the ankle in maintaining balance during more challenging conditions is questionable. As such, the objectives of this study were to identify any significant relationships between the physiological characteristics of the ankle joint and the ability to maintain more challenging unilateral stance.

Participants
21 healthy, adult athletes (age = 24.67 ± 5.42 years; height = 175.34 ± 7.48 cms; weight = 79.09 ± 14.07 kg).

Procedures
Passive resistance and joint position sense in the sagittal plane of the ankle, and active dorsiflexion range of motion of each subject was assessed, in addition to centre of pressure parameters during 20 s unilateral stance.

Results
Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient found significant positive correlations between Dpeak torque and sway area (r = .554); Ax range (r = .449); and Ay range (r = .471). Significant negative correlations were found between Ppeak torque angle and sway area (r = −.538, p = .012), Ax range (r = −.590, p = .005) and Ay range (r = −.439, p = .046).

Discussion
The results highlighted limited relationships between unilateral stance balance control and the ankle characteristics commonly associated with quiet stance balance control and has, thus, further questioned the role that the ankle plays during more challenging stance conditions. The majority of balance training protocols in the athletic community focuses on the distal joints, however, this needs re-addressing in order to maximise performance.

Citation

Amin, D., & Herrington, L. (2014). The relationship between ankle joint physiological characteristics and balance control during unilateral stance. Gait & Posture, 39(2), 718-722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.10.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 2, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Oct 10, 2013
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2014
• Journal: Gait & Posture
• Print ISSN: 0966-6362
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 718-722
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.10.004
• Keywords: Inverted pendulum, stability, passive resistance, flexibility, proprioception
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.10.004
• Related Public URLs: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09666362