Static and Dynamic Postural Control Strategies in Lateral Ankle Sprain Copers:A Perspective on Center of Pressure / 대한스포츠의학회지

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#Although postural control assessment in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) has been thoroughly examined in the literature, few researchers have studied balance strategy in lateral ankle sprain (LAS) copers, who recover from LAS injury with no symptom progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in center of pressure (COP) variables during static and dynamic posture control among LAS copers, patients with CAI, and ankle healthy controls. @*Methods@#This case-control study recruited 20 patients with CAI, 20 LAS copers, and 20 controls. All participants filled out Ankle Instability Instrument and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire and performed single-leg static postural control and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). @*Results@#LAS copers showed less mediolateral COP range as compared to patients with CAI (p=0.001) and control (p=0.001) during static postural control. Furthermore, LAS copers have less anteroposterior COP standard deviation (SD) (p=0.034), range (p=0.009), velocity (p=0.013) than patients with CAI. Relative to patients with CAI, LAS copers had small mediolateral COP SD (p=0.022) and range (p=0.018) during the posteromedial direction of the SEBT.However, there was no significant difference in both mediolateral and anteroposterior COP variables during anterior and posterolateral directions of the SEBT (p≥ 0.05). @*Conclusion@#Based on these observed results, the authors conclude that greater postural control in LAS copers is one of the movement strategies to prevent recurrent LAS as a defense mechanism.