A 4-week biodex stability exercise program improved ankle musculature onset, peak latency and balance measures in functionally unstable ankles

Akhbari, Behnam; Ebrahimi Takamjani, Ismail; Salavati, Mahyar; Ali Sanjari, Mohammad

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2007.03.004

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Volume 8, Issue 3 , Pages 117-129, August 2007

A 4-week biodex stability exercise program improved ankle musculature onset, peak latency and balance measures in functionally unstable ankles

Received 2 May 2006; received in revised form 27 January 2007; accepted 23 March 2007.

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Biodex stability training on the onset of muscle activity and balance measures in participants with functional ankle instability (FAI).

Materials and methods

The musculature onset and peak latency of the peroneals, tibialis anterior and soleus of 15 patients with FAI were recorded with surface electromyography (EMG) in response to sudden 10°, 20° and 30° inversions by an Ankle Perturbation System (APS), both before and after stability training. Participants underwent a monitored 4-week Biodex stability program (12 min per session, three times a week). Pre-and post-training balance measures were also recorded by the Biodex Stability System.

Design

Quasi-experimental.

Results

Post-training, there was a significant decrease in muscle onset and peak latency (p<0.05) for the peroneals and tibialis anterior, and a significant improvement in balance measures (p<0.001).