Decreased ankle and hip isometric peak torque in young and middle-aged adults with chronic ankle instability

Phys Ther Sport. 2020 May:43:127-133. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.02.014. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare ankle, knee and hip isometric peak torque between young and middle-aged adults with CAI, copers and un-injured controls.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Research Laboratory.

Participants: One hundred fifty-six young and middle-aged adults with or without CAI volunteered.

Main outcome measures: A handheld dynamometer measured isometric dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, knee extension, hip extension and hip abduction peak force during a 5 s trial. Average peak torque was calculated and normalized to body mass.

Results: A significant Age by Injury interaction for dorsiflexion suggest middle-aged un-injured controls (p < 0.001) and copers (p < 0.001) had lower isometric peak torque compared to their young adult counterparts, but there were no differences between young and middle-aged adults with CAI (p > 0.05). Significant Injury main effects suggest the CAI group had decreased plantarflexion (p = 0.004) and hip extension (p = 0.010) strength compared to un-injured controls, but not copers (p > 0.05). Significant Age main effects for all primary outcome measures were observed, indicating peak torque decreased with age (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Regardless of age, isometric ankle and hip peak torque was lower in participants with CAI compared to un-injured controls, but not copers. These findings provide further evidence towards the impact of CAI in both young and middle-aged adults.

Keywords: Handheld dynamometer; Lower extremity; Strength.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ankle Joint / physiopathology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hip Joint / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction / physiology*
  • Joint Instability / physiopathology*
  • Joint Instability / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength Dynamometer
  • Young Adult