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

Amin, DJ and Herrington, LC ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4732-1955 2014, 'The relationship between ankle joint physiological characteristics and balance control during unilateral stance' , Gait & Posture, 39 (2) , pp. 718-722.

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	Gait & Posture
Publisher:	Elsevier
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0966-6362
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	S Rafiq
Date Deposited:	15 May 2014 14:31
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 18:31
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/31649

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