# Landing adaptations in individuals with chronic ankle instability

## TL;DR

People with chronic ankle instability use a more cautious landing strategy, which could help reduce the risk of re-injury.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific biomechanical differences in landing strategies between individuals with and without chronic ankle instability.

## Key findings

- Individuals with CAI showed lower ankle plantarflexion and higher hip and knee movements during landing.
- CAI individuals exhibited greater foot toe-out angles compared to those without CAI.
- These findings suggest a compensatory landing strategy in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

## Abstract

This study compared the landing strategy on a flip platform between individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI), to provide a biomechanical basis for reducing re-injury risk.

55 participants with CAI and 55 without CAI were recruited. Each participant landed on a simulated sprain apparatus with the unaffected limb placed on a support platform and the affected limb on a flip platform. Kinematic data were captured using a 12-camera motion analysis system. Independent-samples t-tests were used for statistical analysis.

Individuals with CAI exhibited lower maximum ankle plantarflexion angle [CAI: 27.1° ± 8.1° non-chronic ankle instability (non-CAI): 31.5° ± 8.2°, p = 0.010] and higher maximum hip flexion (CAI: 49.2° ± 12.1°, non-CAI: 41.5° ± 14.2°, p = 0.004), maximum hip abduction (CAI: 14.7° ± 4.4°, non-CAI: 12.0° ± 5.5°, p = 0.009), maximum knee abduction (CAI: 8.8° ± 4.5°, non-CAI: 5.0° ± 3.3°, p < 0.001), and maximum foot toe-out (CAI: 18.7° ± 8.6°, non-CAI: 14.3° ± 4.5°, p = 0.002) angles.

Individuals with CAI adopt a cautious landing strategy compared to those without CAI.