title: Neuromuscular Control Mechanisms During Single-Leg Jump Landing in Subacute Ankle Sprain Patients: A Case Control Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimal neuromuscular control mechanisms are essential for preparing, maintaining, and restoring functional joint stability during jump landing and to prevent ankle injuries. In subacute ankle sprain patients, neither muscle activity nor kinematics during jump landing has previously been assessed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare neuromuscular control mechanisms and kinematics between subacute ankle sprain patients and healthy persons before and during the initial contact phase of a 25-cm single-leg jump.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with grade I or II acute ankle sprains were followed up after 4 weeks of conservative management not involving physical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects performed alternately 3 single-leg forward jumps of 25 cm (toe-to-heel distance) barefoot. Their results were compared with the data of 15 healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the musculus (m.) gastrocnemius lateralis, m. tibialis anterior, and m. peroneus longus as well as kinematics for ankle, knee, and hip joint were recorded for pre-initial contact (IC) phase, post-initial contact phase, and reflex-induced phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that EMG activity of the 3 muscles did not differ between ankle sprain patients (n = 15) and healthy persons (n = 15) for any of the analyzed time intervals (all P > .05). However, during the pre-IC phase, ankle sprain patients presented less plantar flexion, as well as during the post-IC phase after jump landing, compared to healthy persons (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, these kinematic alterations of the ankle joint can lead to neuromuscular control mechanism disturbances through which functional instability might arise.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland, HES-SO, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland∗.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allet
authors.affiliation: Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health, Bern, Switzerland(†).
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zumstein
authors.affiliation: Health, Research and Development Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland(‡).
authors.forename: Patric
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eichelberger
authors.affiliation: Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland(§).
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Armand
authors.affiliation: University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland, HES-SO, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland, 25 rue des Caroubiers, CH-1227 Carouge, Switzerland; Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland(‖). Electronic address: ilona.punt@hesge.ch.
authors.forename: Ilona M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Punt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult