Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2026)                   J Sport Biomech 2026, 12(2): 302-319 | Back to browse issues page

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Asghari V, Farahpour N, Robbins S, Moisan G, Majlesi M. Kinematic Changes of Lower-Limb Joints During Walking in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability on Flat and Inclined Surfaces. J Sport Biomech 2026; 12 (2) :302-319
URL: http://biomechanics.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-436-en.html
Kinematic Changes of Lower-Limb Joints During Walking in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability on Flat and Inclined Surfaces
Vahid Asghari1 , Nader Farahpour *1 , Shawn Robbins2 , Gabriel Moisan3 , Mahdi Majlesi4
1- Department of Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
2- Department of Physiotherapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
3- Department of Human Kinetics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada.
4- Department of Sport Biomechanics, Ha.C. Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran.
Abstract:   (28 Views)
Objective This study aimed to compare movement patterns, spatiotemporal variables, and joint range of motion of the lower limbs during walking between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy controls on two surfaces: flat and inclined.
Methods Eighteen individuals with chronic ankle instability (experimental group) and nineteen healthy participants (control group), aged 20 to 40 years, took part in this study. Lower-limb joint angles and spatial positions were recorded during walking on a flat surface and an externally inclined surface using a Qualisys motion capture system. Kinematic data were analyzed over a complete gait cycle. Between-group comparisons were performed using parametric one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping (independent SPM{t}) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Results Stride length during walking on the flat surface was significantly shorter in the experimental group compared with the control group (p = 0.005). No significant between-group differences were observed in overall joint range of motion. However, compared with controls, the experimental group exhibited greater hip flexion (p = 0.038) and greater hip adduction (p = 0.003) during walking on the flat surface. On the inclined surface, the experimental group demonstrated greater hip flexion (p = 0.001), greater hip adduction (p = 0.001), greater knee flexion (p = 0.023), reduced knee external rotation (p = 0.001), greater ankle inversion (p = 0.001), higher plantarflexion velocity (p = 0.013), higher eversion velocity (p = 0.001), and greater ankle adduction velocity (p = 0.003).
Conclusion Individuals with chronic ankle instability exhibit altered gait patterns and lower-limb joint kinematics during walking. These biomechanical alterations are not confined to the ankle joint but extend to more proximal joints, including the knee and hip. Rehabilitation programs for individuals with ankle instability should therefore incorporate targeted strengthening and neuromuscular training of the hip and knee musculature in addition to ankle-focused interventions.
Keywords: Chronic ankle instability, Joint kinematics, Angular velocity, Spatiotemporal parameters, Range of motion
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/01/31
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