Sensorimotor adaptations in chronic ankle instability

Abstract

Following a lateral ankle sprain, mechanoreceptor damage within lateral ankle ligaments is theorised to contribute to observed balance, proprioceptive, and reaction time deficits. Such sensorimotor deficits are also known characteristics of chronic ankle instability (CAI), which is linked to recurrent ankle injury and early onset osteoarthritis. The significance of mechanoreceptor damage is unclear as a multitude of alternate sensory sources are capable of contributing to postural control and, despite increased postural sway or anesthetisation of lateral ligaments, individuals are able to maintain balancing postures following an ankle sprain. Early research has hypothesised that the central nervous system is capable of compensating for reduced mechanoreceptor feedback by up-regulating sensory information from alternate sources to generate sufficient information for effective motor drive and to maintain posture.The purpose of this thesis was to examine spinal-level sensorimotor integration: reflex excitability and inhibition in those with CAI, compared to copers and healthy controls. This thesis contains a series of investigations designed to examine changes in spinal excitability, using novel techniques, and its contribution to aberrant control of human movement in those with CAI.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English