Running gait biomechanics in females with chronic ankle instability and ankle sprain copers

Limited evidence exists comparing running biomechanics between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and those who fully recover (copers). The purpose of this study was to simultaneously analyse running gait kinematics, kinetics, and surface electromyography (sEMG) between ankle sprain copers and individuals with CAI. Twenty-six (13 CAI, 13 Coper) recreationally active females participated and ran shod on an instrumented treadmill at 2.68 m/s. We assessed lower extremity kinematics and kinetics and sEMG amplitude for the fibularis longus, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, and gluteus medius muscles. Ten consecutive strides from the beginning of the trial were analysed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) independent t-test. The CAI group had significantly more ankle inversion during 0-6%, 42-53%, and 96-100% of the running stride cycle compared to the coper group. At initial contact (0%), the CAI group was in an inverted ankle position (5.9 degrees +/- 6.8 degrees) and the coper group was in an everted ankle position (-3.2 degrees +/- 5.5 degrees; p = 0.01, d = 1.5). There were no significant differences identified for any other outcome measures. Increased ankle inversion during the swing phase leading into the loading phase is concerning because the ankle is in an open packed position and inversion is a primary mechanism of injury for sustaining a lateral ankle sprain.