Article

Optimal neuromuscular control mechanisms are essential for preparing,
maintaining, and restoring functional joint stability during jump landing and to
prevent ankle injuries. In subacute ankle sprain patients, neither muscle
activity nor kinematics during jump landing has previously been assessed.
OBJECTIVE: To compare neuromuscular control mechanisms and kinematics between
subacute ankle sprain patients and healthy persons before and during the initial
contact phase of a 25-cm single-leg jump. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING:
University hospital. PATIENTS: Fifteen patients with grade I or II acute ankle
sprains were followed up after 4 weeks of conservative management not involving
physical therapy. METHODS: Subjects performed alternately 3 single-leg forward
jumps of 25 cm (toe-to-heel distance) barefoot. Their results were compared with
the data of 15 healthy subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Electromyographic
(EMG) activity of the musculus (m.) gastrocnemius lateralis, m. tibialis
anterior, and m. peroneus longus as well as kinematics for ankle, knee, and hip
joint were recorded for pre-initial contact (IC) phase, post-initial contact
phase, and reflex-induced phase. RESULTS: The results showed that EMG activity of
the 3 muscles did not differ between ankle sprain patients (n = 15) and healthy
persons (n = 15) for any of the analyzed time intervals (all P > .05). However,
during the pre-IC phase, ankle sprain patients presented less plantar flexion, as
well as during the post-IC phase after jump landing, compared to healthy persons
(P < .05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, these kinematic alterations of the ankle
joint can lead to neuromuscular control mechanism disturbances through which
functional instability might arise. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS