Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of unilateral ankle instability on walking energy expenditure. Chronic ankle instability group consisted of 20 subjects their age average (21.4±5.55) years, height average (177.85 ± 4.96) cm and weight average (81.25 ± 6.87) kg, they were referred from orthopedic specialist. The control group consisted of 20 normal subjects, their age average (24.65 ± 4.61) years, height average (178.7 ± 3.76) cm and weight average (80.4 ± 12.43) kg. Participants walked on a treadmill at two speeds 5 km/h (comfortable walking) and 6.5 km/h (fast walking) for three min with resting period of twenty minutes between each test. Before testing there was 3 min warm up at 1.5 km/h, and after each test there was 3 min recovery at 1.5 km/h. The oxygen consumption and energy expenditure at the two speeds are measured by using ZAN 100 flow handy П medical device with a PC- connected to open spirometry system. Results revealed that there was a significant increase in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure of the two groups as walking speed increased from 5 to 6.5 km/h. There was no significant difference in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure between both groups at walking speed 5 km/h. However, the oxygen consumption and energy expenditure of chronic ankle instability group was significantly higher than control group at walking speed 6.5 km/h. So, chronic ankle instability increased the walking energy cost especially during fast walking.
Highlights
The ankle complex plays a fundamental role in human locomotion
At walking speeds 5 km/h there is no significant difference between Chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy group for energy expenditure (P= 0.620), At walking speeds 6.5 km/h the energy expenditure of CAI was higher than that healthy group (P= 0.046), as shown in Table [3]
Oxygen consumption The oxygen consumption of healthy and CAI groups at walking speed 6.5 km/h was significantly higher than walking speed 5 km/h (P= 0.008 and 0.000) respectively
Summary
The ankle complex plays a fundamental role in human locomotion. Functionally, the two main joints are the ankle and subtalar complex between the talus and calcaneous. Ankle injuries are among the most common injuries, in sport. They constitute between 10% and 15% of all injuries in sport with 85% of those involving sprains of lateral ligament complex [1]. Individuals with lateral ankle instability are characterized by deviation of their gait parameters than normal values and duration [3, 4]. Individuals with ankle instability often present differences in ankle joint mechanics. These differences often go unnoticed during the gait cycle. These altered neuromuscular mechanics may lead to improper joint positioning and less coordinated movement during gait [5]
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