Research article - (2017)16, 137 - 146
Effects of Neuromuscular Training on the Rear-foot Angle Kinematics in Elite Women Field Hockey Players with Chronic Ankle Instability
Eunkuk Kim1, Hokyung Choi1,, Jung-Hoon Cha2, Jong-Chul Park3, Taegyu Kim4
1Department of Physical Education, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Community Sports, Korea National Sport University, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Sport Science, Korea Institute of Sport Science, Seoul, Korea
4Department of Sports Medicine and Science, Taereung National Training Center of the Korean Olympic Committee, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Hokyung Choi
✉ Department of Physical Education, Korea National Sport University, 1239, Yangjaedaero, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Email: ghruddl82@gmail.com
Received: 13-09-2016 -- Accepted: 13-02-2017
Published (online): 01-03-2017

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to investigate the ankle position, the changes and persistence of ankle kinematics after neuromuscular training in athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). A total of 21 national women’s field hockey players participated (CAI = 12, control = 9). Ankle position at heel strike (HS), midstance (MS), and toe touch (TT) in the frontal plane during walking, running and landing were measured using 3D motion analysis. A 6-week neuromuscular training program was undertaken by the CAI group. Measurements of kinematic data for both groups were measured at baseline and the changes in kinematic data for CAI group were measured at 6 and 24 weeks. The kinematic data at HS during walking and running demonstrated that the magnitude of the eversion in the CAI group (–5.00° and –4.21°) was less than in the control group (–13.45°and –9.62°). The kinematic data at MS also exhibited less ankle eversion in the CAI group (–9.36° and –8.18°) than in the control group (–18.52° and –15.88°). Ankle positions at TT during landing were comparable between groups. Following the 6-week training, the CAI participants demonstrated a less everted ankle at HS during walking and running (–1.77° and –1.76°) compared to the previous positions. They also showed less ankle eversion at MS (–5.14° and –4.19°). Ankle orientation at TT changed significantly to an inverted ankle position (from –0.26° to 4.11°). The ankle kinematics were restored back to the previous positions at 24 weeks except for landing. It appeared that athletes with unstable ankle had a relatively inverted ankle position, and that 6-week neuromuscular training had an immediate effect on changing ankle orientation toward a less everted direction. The changed ankle kinematics seemed to persist during landing but not during walking and running.

Key words: Ankle position, motion analysis, heel strike, midstance, toe touch

Key Points
  • Athletes with unstable ankles had a relatively inverted ankle position during the initial contact and midstance.
  • Six-week neuromuscular training for unstable ankles had an immediate effect on changing ankle orientation toward a relatively more inverted direction.
  • The changed ankle kinematics persisted during jump landing but not during walking and running.








Back
|
Full Text
|
PDF
|
Share