Is the Inverted Surface Landing More Suitable in Evaluating Ankle Braces and Ankle Inversion Perturbation?

Abstract

The results from this study showed that the IS landing protocol produced significantly earlier maximum inversion angle and velocity and inversion velocities compared with the inversion drop protocol. These results showed that the IS landing is more demanding and should be considered in future investigations of ankle braces and lateral ankle performance/injury mechanisms.

Comparison of Ankle Taping and Bracing on Ankle Biomechanics during Landing in Functional Ankle Instability

“…However, individuals with FAI produced significantly smaller peak ankle inversion moments during the single-leg landing task compared to healthy controls. These findings are in contrast to previous research reports which have demonstrated that ankle bracing is associated with significant increases in ankle plantarflexion moments, but have no demonstrated effects on frontal plane joint moments (Zhang et al 2009b;Chen et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012). Specifically, Zhang et al (2012) reported increases in ankle plantarflexion moments of nearly 0.1 Nm/kg in response to ankle bracing in individuals with FAI and healthy controls.…”

“…Though both ankle bracing and taping are purported to reduce ankle range of motion and the associated risk of injury, neither bracing nor taping were effective in reducing ankle joint range of motion. These findings are not consistent with previously reported data investigating the efficacy of ankle bracing in individuals with FAI and healthy adults (Zhang et al 2009a;Zhang et al 2009b;Chen et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012). Several studies have reported that semi-rigid ankle braces are associated with significant reductions in ankle plantarflexion at initial contact, peak ankle plantarflexion and sagittal plane ankle ranges of motion during bilateral landing tasks (Zhang et al 2009a;Zhang et al 2009b;Zhang et al 2012).…”

“…Zhang et al (2012) reported significant reductions in dorsiflexion range of motion as well as reduced eversion range of motion and peak eversion velocity during a bilateral landing task. Further, Chen et al (2012) reported that landing with an ankle brace resulted in reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and plantarflexion angle at initial contact when landing on a flat or inverted surface.…”

“…One methodological aspect that may underlie these differences is the use of a single-leg landing task in this study. Most previous research studies have utilized a bilateral landing task on either a flat or inverted surface to assess ankle bracing efficacy (Zhang et al 2009a;Zhang et al 2009b;Chen et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012). The single-leg landing task would increase the mechanical demand required for successful shock attenuation as well as increasing the motor control complexities with a reduced base of support.…”

“…Some models of ankle brace include external plastic components to increase the rigidity of the brace and enhance stability. Ankle braces are designed to mechanically restrict plantar flexion and inversion movements at the ankle (Cordova et al 2002;Chen et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012). Two advantages of ankle bracing compared to ankle taping are reusability and adjustability of ankle braces.…”