None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Primarily, our study aims to investigate the difference between bilateral gluteus medius and longissimus dorsi muscle activity during single-leg stance (SLS) on stable and unstable surfaces. We hypothesize that the non-stance side will have a higher muscle activation than the stance side on both surfaces. Secondly, this study aims to compare the muscle activation in both lower limbs and back when performing SLS on an unstable surface on the dominant and non-dominant leg between healthy adults, adults who recovered from ankle instability and adults with existing chronic ankle instability. There is insufficient evidence to conclude the effect of leg dominance on postural balance during SLS and balance performance relies largely on environmental and individual context such as methods of the data collection and physiological difference between individuals. We hypothesise that healthy adults and those who recovered from ankle instability will not show significant difference in muscle activation on both sides when standing on the dominant or non-dominant leg. We also hypothesise that CI will have higher muscle activation on both sides when standing on the injured leg compared to the uninjured leg when maintaining SLS.
Interventions
Participants with chronic ankle instability will be observed for bilateral muscle activities. The total duration of the study is estimated to take 1 hour. The study investigators will put electrodes on some muscle groups in the lower limb and back to measure muscle activity. You may be required to shave the area under the electrodes if it interferes with the EMG signals or if it prevents adherence of the EMG electrodes to the skin.
Participants will perform muscle strength tests for the lower ba
Participants with chronic ankle instability will be observed for bilateral muscle activities. The total duration of the study is estimated to take 1 hour. The study investigators will put electrodes on some muscle groups in the lower limb and back to measure muscle activity. You may be required to shave the area under the electrodes if it interferes with the EMG signals or if it prevents adherence of the EMG electrodes to the skin. Participants will perform muscle strength tests for the lower back and lower limbs to determine maximal muscle activity. Participants will perform 3 trials of 5 seconds holds against manual resistance for each muscle group on both sides during the muscle strength testing with a minimum of 2 minutes rest between trials to prevent fatigue. Following that, participants will practice 4 single-leg stand (SLS) trials. These trials entail standing on each leg for a duration of 10 seconds, first on a stable surface and then on a foam surface. A rest period of 60 seconds will be provided between each practice trial. After the 60 seconds break, participants will perform the SLS tests on a stable surface. Participants will perform 3 tests of 10s on each leg, starting with dominant leg. Rests of 60 seconds will be provided between each test. Subsequently, the SLS test procedures are repeated on an unstable surface (foam platform). Rests of 60 seconds will be provided between each test. Assessments by study investigators: 1. Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) also known as muscle strength testing 2. SLS trial/test Surface Electromyography (sEMG) placement by study investigators: - Surface EMG markers will be placed at specific parts of the lower back and legs to measure muscle activity of longissimus dorsi, gluteus medius and maximus, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and gastronemius medialis muscle groups; - Skin may be lightly shaved and wiped with alcohol to reduce interelectrode resistance prior to electrode placement.
Sponsors
Singapore Institute of Technology
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
21 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
All participants: Proficient in spoken and written English language and able to perform single-leg stand without support. Healthy participant study arm: No previous lower limb surgery and/or fracture in their lifetime, and no history of ankle sprain. Recovered participant study arm: A history of at least one acute unilateral ankle sprain and no difficulty reported in the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure activities of daily living questionnaire (FAAM) Chronic ankle instability study arm: - A history of at least two acute unilateral ankle sprains but no previous lower limb surgery and/or fracture in their lifetime; - A history of at least two giving way episodes within the past 6 months; AND - Any slight difficulty in the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaire.
Exclusion criteria
- Long-term use of medications that may cause dizziness, vertigo symptoms; - Any skin allergy; - History of neurological deficits; OR - History of fracture and/or surgery in the lower limb.
Outcome results
None listed