The purpose of this study was to examine the differentiation of proprioception, invertor and evertor muscle strength, and time to peak torque at a velocity of 300 °/sec of the ankle joint in people with or without functional ankle instability (FAI). Nineteen subjects with a history of ankle sprain participated. All subjects were divided into FAI group (n1=9, Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT)≤24) and a control group (n2=10) based on their CAIT scores. Isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the sense of active joint position of the ankle at mid-range and end-range of an inversion motion and invertor as well as the evertor muscle strength and time to peak torque at 300 °/s. The FAI group showed a statistically reduction in invertor and evertor muscle strength and time to peak torque when compared to the control group (p<.05). Muscle strength and time to peak torque of the invertor and evertor, as well as the sense of active joint position at end-range were also lower in the FAI group than in the control (p<.05). Correlations between CAIT score and position sense at end-range (r=-.577) and invertor muscle strength (r=.554) were statistically significant (p<.05). Individuals with FAI showed reduction in invertor and evertor muscle strength and recruitment time as well as in proprioception of the ankle joint. Thus, proprioception and invertor and evertor muscle strength of the ankle joint at fast angular velocity may be investigated when examining and planning care for individuals with FAI.
Dance movements consist of combinations of movements such as jumping, rotation, maintaining balance, leg lifts, and plantar flexion with toe shoes. Dance movements require great muscle strength of lower extremities as well as muscular endurance. The purposes of this study were to investigate correlation between the anthropometric variables and the peak torque in young female dancers and to identify variables that affect isokinetic peak torque. Twenty-six female dancers (19.7±1.2 years of age) performed concentric maximum force efforts on the knee extensors and flexors at 60°/sec and 120°/sec, the ankle plantar flexors (PF) and dorsiflexors (DF) at 30°/sec and 120°/sec. Antropometric variables such as age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), thigh girth, calf girth and duration of dance training were measured. To identify antropometric variables related to muscle strength, Pearson correlations were computed and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. Pearson correlation coefficients of Knee extensor at 60°/sec and 120˚/sec revealed moderate positive associations with BMI and thigh girth. Pearson correlation coefficients of ankle PF revealed low-to-moderate positive associations with height. Ankle DF also revealed moderate positive associations with BMI and calf girth. The main predictor variables of knee extensor at 60/sec, were stepwise multiple regression, age, height, thigh and girth.