title: Functional performance deficits associated with ligamentous instability at the ankle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether ankle anterior drawer ligament laxity is associated with deficits in performance testing among otherwise healthy sportspeople.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six volunteers from among sports participants at a military academy consented to the use of their pre-participation musculoskeletal screening information for the lower limb, and to an additional test of ankle proprioception. The lower limb screening included tests of ankle ligament laxity, dorsiflexion range of movement, single leg hop-for-distance, hexagon agility hopping test, and hop-and-hold landing stability test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between lax and stable ankles on the 4 screening tests when they were examined together with MANOVA (F=3.52, df=4, 167, p=0.009, Wilks' Lambda=0.92). Independent t-tests showed worse performance on the hop-for-distance (p=0.001), hexagon hop (p=0.039) and the proprioception tests (p=0.033) associated with laxity. Comparing stable and unstable ankles in the same individual, paired t-tests showed significantly lower hop counts for lax ankles on the hexagon hop test (p=<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ankle ligament laxity is associated with persisting deficits in explosive power, agility and proprioception, as demonstrated by less hopping distance, fewer hops in hexagon hop testing, and reduced proprioceptive acuity, despite ongoing participation in sport. Attention to maximising sport-related performance in the late stages of rehabilitation is suggested as an essential addition to clinical management of these injuries.
authors: Dept of Physical Therapies, Australian Institute of Sport, Leverier Crescent, Australia. Jeremy.Witchalls@ausport.com.au
authors: Jeremy B
authors: JB
authors: Witchalls
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Newman
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Waddington
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Adams
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Blanch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011434:Proprioception; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055815:Young Adult