Effect of Strength Training of Hip Muscles on Functional Ankle Instability: Evaluated with Surface Electromyography / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of strength training of hip muscles on functional ankle instability (FAI), and be evaluated with surface electromyography (sEMG). Methods:From January, 2019 to June, 2020, 60 FAI patients were recruited in Qingdao Municipal Hospital. They were divided into control group (n = 30) and observation group (n = 30) randomly. The control group received conventional therapy, including ankle joint mobilization training, strength training and balance training for six weeks, while the observation group received strength training of hip muscles in addition. Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and sEMG were used to assess the function before and after intervention, and integrated electromyography (iEMG) was measured with sEMG. The correlation of CAIT and SEBT to iEMG was analyzed with Pearson coefficient. Results:No one dropped out. Before intervention, there was no significant difference between CAIT, SEBT and iEMG between two groups (P > 0.05). CAIT and SEBT improved significantly in both groups (t > 3.657, P < 0.001) after six-week intervention; the iEMG increased significantly in the observation group (t > 22.038, P < 0.001), while no significance was found in the control group (t < 1.916, P > 0.05); all the indexes were better in the observation group than in the control group (t > 2.125, P < 0.05). iEMG of gluteus medius and gluteus maximum correlated to CAIT and SEBT in the observation group (r = 0.712 to 0.866, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The strength training of the hip muscles could improve the ankle function of FAI patients. iEMG of gluteus medius and gluteus maximum could be a valid measure to assess the effect of strength training on FAI.