| Background: Some cases of repeated inversion ankle sprains are thought to have a neurological basis and
are termed functional ankle instability (FAI). In addition to factors local to the ankle, such as loss of
proprioception, cognitive demands have the ability to influence motor control and may increase the risk
of repetitive lateral sprains.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cognitive demand on foot kinematics
in physically active people with functional ankle instability.
Methods: 21 physically active participants with FAI and 19 matched healthy controls completed trials of
normal walking (single task) and normal walking while performing a cognitive task (dual task). Foot
motion relative to the shank was recorded. Cognitive performance, ankle kinematics and movement
variability in single and dual task conditions was characterized.
Results: During normal walking, the ankle joint was significantly more inverted in FAI compared to the
control group pre and post initial contact. Under dual task conditions, there was a statistically significant
increase in frontal plane foot movement variability during the period 200 ms pre and post initial contact
in people with FAI compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Dual task also significantly increased plantar
flexion and inversion during the period 200 ms pre and post initial contact in the FAI group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: participants with FAI demonstrated different ankle movement patterns and increased
movement variability during a dual task condition. Cognitive load may increase risk of ankle instability in
these people |