Decreased dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) has been identified as a risk factor for ankle sprains. Patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) demonstrate reduced DFROM during functional tasks. However, variation in DFROM exists within a CAI population. It remains unclear whether varied DFROM affects muscle activation during walking. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of varied DFROM on tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus brevis (PB), peroneus longus (PL), and gluteus maximus (Gmax) activation during walking within the CAI population. METHODS: 100 CAI subjects were classified into 3 subgroups based on DFROM, measured by the weight-bearing lunge test: a Hypo (14 M, 10F; ≤ 39°; 35 ± 2.5°, 23 ± 2 yrs, 176 ± 13 cm, 80 ± 13 kg), Normal (25 M, 32F; 40-50°; 46 ± 2.6°, 21 ± 2 yrs, 174 ± 7 cm, 72 ± 14 kg), and Hyper DFROM group (11 M, 8F; ≥ 51°; 54 ± 3°, 22 ± 2 yrs, 175 ± 11 cm, 74 ± 14 kg). Subjects performed 5 walking trials at a preferred speed while muscle activation were collected using wireless surface electrodes (2000 Hz). Functional liner models were used to detect between-group differences. If 95% confidence intervals did not cross zero, differences were significant. RESULTS: Figure 1 shows Hypo DFROM group showed increased muscle activation of the TA and Gmax during early stance phase, as well as increased muscle activation of the PL and PB during the late stance phase compared to Normal and/or Hyper DFROM groups. CONCLUSION: While CAI patients with Normal and Hyper DFROM show similar muscle activation patterns during walking, CAI patients with Hypo DFROM appear to demonstrate increased muscle activation during walking. These muscle activation patterns may elicit perceived, protective neuromuscular control in an attempt to prevent injuries due to ankle instability. Differences in muscle activation may compensate for limited arthrokinematics at the ankle joint. However, prospective studies are needed to determine whether these patterns would reduce injury risk and performance deficits.