A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Physiotherapy Johannesburg, 2019 / Background: Soccer has been described as the most popular sport globally that comes with high performance expectations. This can lead to increased risk of injuries such as ankle and foot injuries. Studies on injuries in soccer teams from under-resourced places like Gaborone, Botswana are scanty. Aim: To determine the prevalence of ankle and foot injuries and their effect on function and activity on premiere league soccer players in Gaborone. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 109 soccer players. A foot and ankle outcome score questionnaire was used to assess the effect of the injury on function and activity. An assessment of foot posture was carried out on each player. Results were analysed using Stata version 15.1. Results: The sample consisted of male premiere league soccer players ranging from 18-32 years with a median age of 24 years (IQR 22-26). Prevalence of ankle and foot injury was 46.80% with the majority of the injured players being midfielders (23.85%). Previous history of ankle and foot injury was reported by 66.7% of the participants. A significant association was found between playing position and previous history of ankle and foot injury (p= 0.02). A significant strong positive correlation was reported between pain and activities of daily living(����=0.74,��=0.00) . Conclusion: The results show that soccer players in Gaborone are at risk of incurring ankle and foot injury during training and matches. The study highlights the importance of putting in place stringent injury prevention measures to curb the prevalence of ankle and foot injuries. / MT 2020

No description available.

Objectives: To evaluate postural control in individuals with functional ankle instability using static, dynamic, and clinical balance tests. Also, to examine the relationships between the performances in each of these tests. Design: Postural control was evaluated with a single leg balance test, a balance test involving movement, and the star excursion balance test. Participants: A volunteer sample of 19 subjects with functional ankle instability and 19 uninjured control subjects. Main Outcome Measures: Center of pressure sway path length was calculated for the static and dynamic balance tests. Total reach distance was measured for the star excursion balance test. Results: Subjects with functional ankle instability demonstrated a significantly greater center of pressure sway path length in both the static and dynamic balance tests. Conclusions: Functional ankle instability may be associated with reduced postural control as demonstrated by decreased performance in static and dynamic balance tests. / Graduation date: 2003

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2002. / Also held in print (80 leaves, col. ill., 30 cm.) in North Shore Theses Collection (T 612.76 TRE).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Dakota, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-44). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Dakota, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-44)

Chronic ankle instability (CAI), a pathological condition characterized by repetitive bouts of the ankle giving way, commonly develops following a lateral ankle sprain injury. Individuals with CAI have been shown to exhibit deficits in postural control and alterations in movement dynamics, which have been suggested to be contributing factors to the recurrent injury paradigm. The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a comprehensive biomechanical analyses to examine the influence of CAI on postural control and movement dynamics during a single leg squat, side-cut task, and single leg landing on an inverted surface. Fifteen participants with CAI and fifteen participants without CAI completed the study following a between-subjects design, with limb serving as the repeated measure during the single leg squat. Each participant completed a single leg squat, side-cut task, and unexpected and expected single leg landings on a tilted surface. Results from the single leg squat and single leg landings on the tilted surface were analyzed using a 2 x 2 mixed-model ANOVA, while results from the side-cut task were analyzed using an independent samples t-test. Statistical significance was considered for all dependent variables when p < 0.05. Individuals with CAI demonstrated impaired postural control, as indicated by reduced time-to-boundary, during the single leg squat compared to controls. Altered ankle joint kinetics and increased sagittal plane hip joint stiffness were observed in the CAI group compared to controls. With regards to the single leg landings on the inverted surface, during the unexpected landing condition the CAI group displayed altered neuromuscular control and ankle kinematics. However, when the landing on the inverted surface as expected, the CAI group exhibited similar motor control strategies to the control group. Findings from this study indicate CAI alters postural control and movement dynamics during functional and dynamic movements, which may be used by researchers and clinicians to develop rehabilitation protocols to restore maladaptive movement patterns in individuals that develop CAI.

Yes / Background: When trans-tibial amputees cross obstacles leading with their prosthesis, foot clearance is achieved using compensatory swing-phase kinematics. Such compensation would suggest able-bodied individuals normally use swing-phase ankle dorsiflexion to attain adequate obstacle clearance, however, direct evidence of such contribution is equivocal. The present study determined the contribution of sagittal plane ankle motion in achieving lead-limb clearance during obstacle negotiation. Methods: 12 male able-bodied individuals (ages 18-30) completed obstacle crossing trials while walking on a flat surface. Lead-limb (right) ankle motion was manipulated using a knee-ankle-foot orthosis. Trials were completed with the ankle restricted at a neutral angle or unrestricted (allowing ~ ±15  plantar/dorsiflexion). Findings: Restricted ankle motion caused significant increase in trail-limb foot placement distance before the obstacle (p=0.005); significant decrease in vertical toe clearance (p<0.003), vertical heel clearance (p=0.045) and lead-limb foot placement distance after the obstacle (p=0.045); but no significant changes in knee angle at instant of crossing or in average walking speed. Interpretation: The shifts in foot placements altered the part of swing that the lead-limb was in when the foot crossed the obstacle, which led to a decrease in clearance. These adaptations may have been due to being unable to dorsiflex the ankle to ‘lift’ the toes in mid-swing or to being unable to plantarflex the ankle during initial contact following crossing, which changed how the lead-limb was to be loaded. These findings suggest individuals using ankle bracing or those with ankle arthrodesis, will have reduced gait safety when negotiating obstacles.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005. / Damage to the proprioceptive organs, as well as lack of proprioceptive retraining, after an inversion ankle sprain, has been shown to contribute to the problem of recurring ankle joint injuries, which has the highest incidence of sports related injuries. The proprioceptive organs are important as afferent pathways in reflexes and for the adjustment of posture and muscle tone (Miller and Narson, 1995 and Jerosch and Bischof, 1996). Manipulation is thought to cause a change in the afferent pathways of the manipulated joints and it is proposed that this change may restore normal proprioceptive input, in a previously injured joint (Wyke, 1981 and Slosberg 1988). This however is unproven as indicated in a study by Lephart and Fu, (1995), where techniques to improve proprioception remain untested and according to Brynin and Farrar (1995), screening for proprioceptive and neuromuscular co-ordination should be carried out as part of a chiropractor's physical examination and injury evaluation. This was a qualitative pre-post clinical study. Forty (40) subjects between the ages of 25 and 45, who had been diagnosed with chronic ankle instability syndrome, were recruited. The only treatment they received was a single mortise separation adjustment and all participants received the same treatment. Clinical outcomes were measured before and after the adjustment on both ankles using a Dualer Electronic Inclinometer and algometer. Only the affected ankle received an adjustment, but both ankles were measured. The participants were evaluated by the examiner at an initial consultation during which diagnosis of chronic ankle instability syndrome was made based on case history, physical examination and foot and ankle regional examination. Participants presented with at least four of the following (Kessler and Hertling 1983) / M