Article

Ankle inversion injury is common in military populations but
associated biomechanical risk factors are largely unknown. This prospective study
examined the association between pressure and kinematic variables, and ankle
inversion injury risk in Royal Marine (RM) recruits. It was hypothesised that a
more medially concentrated pressure at the heel-off phase of stance, greater
impulse and peak pressure at the first metatarsal head, greater peak rearfoot
eversion angle and greater eversion excursion would be associated with ankle
inversion injury. METHODS: Data from 145 male, injury-free RM recruits were
recorded in week-2 of a 32-week military training programme. Each recruit
completed five running trials at 3.6 ms(-1), along a 2m pressure plate. Kinematic
data were simultaneously recorded. Injuries sustained during the training
programme were prospectively recorded. FINDINGS: Data from eleven recruits who
had suffered an ankle inversion injury during RM training were compared with 20
uninjured controls. The injury group displayed a higher (P<0.05) peak first
metatarsal pressure, peak metatarsal impulse and more medially concentrated
pressure at heel-off than control recruits. There were no differences in
kinematic variables between groups. The injury group had a lower body mass than
controls (P<0.05). INTERPRETATIONS: The findings from this study support existing
literature, providing evidence that high medial concentration of vertical forces
when running are associated with increased ankle inversion injury risk. This may
be due to the lateral ankle ligaments being less accustomed to loading, resulting
in relatively weak lateral ligaments, or ligaments less able to deal with fatigue
than those of the control group.
CI - Crown Copyright (c) 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS