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Between limb differences during static balance tests with and without permanent ligament loosening

Abstract:

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyse within subject differences in a number of static balance tests, performed during monopodal stance. Material and methods: The tests were carried out comparing the ankle with a previous lateral ligament injury (with permanent ligament loosening) and the one without ligament loosening. Fourteen volunteer subjects were recruited for the study (6 women and 8 men), all of them physically active, with a mean age of 19.9±3.8 years. The measurements included the ankle range of motion (static and passive), and the path of the centre of pressures during a monopodal balance test on a force platform (60. s last), in three different conditions: on the platform, on a foam pad and during the application of electrical stimulation on the tibialis anterior muscle. All the measurements and tests were applied on both legs, injured and uninjured. Results: The anterio-posterior path of the centre of pressures was greater in the previously injured limb in the test on the foam pad (injured=60.9±14.3. mm; uninjured=51.8±9.5. mm) (p<0.05). The mean position of the centre of pressures in the injured limb was more medial during the three tests (p<0.05) and more posterior in the test on the foam pad (p<0.01). In the test with electrical stimulation, the total path of the centre of pressures (injured=3097.4±899.3. mm; uninjured=3329.3±996.6. mm) and its average velocity (injured=51.6±15.1. mm/s; uninjured=55.1±17.0. mm/s) were significantly greater in the uninjured limb (p<0.05). Conclusions: When the tests became more challenging, the differences between injured and uninjured limbs were greater. The position of the injured extremity was more medial and posterior during the static tests. © 2009 Consell Català de l'Esport. Generalitat de Catalunya.