Affiliations: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Y.V. Raghava Neelapala, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences,
Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India. Tel.: +91 9482777219; E-mails: [email protected], [email protected].
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Gluteal muscle control plays a vital role in the entire lower extremity kinematics and their weakness is observed in individuals with an ankle sprain. However, the relationship between gluteal muscle strength and balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability is not known. METHODS: Thirty-two individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) participated in the study (mean age = 24±2 years, height = 154.1±6.3 cms). Maximal isometric strength (lbs) of gluteal medius and gluteus maximus was measured using hand-held dynamometer. Balance was measured using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the reach distances were calculated normalizing to limb length. Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation was used to examine the relationship between gluteal muscle strength and balance. RESULTS: Mean composite SEBT test scores were (Mean/SD = 96.13/7.32) and were positively correlated with isometric gluteal muscle strength scores (G med Mean/SD = 25.6/8.4 lbs, G max Mean/SD = 31.4 /6.3 lbs). There was a good relationship between gluteus medius strength and balance scores and a weak relationship between gluteus maximus strength and SEBT scores in individuals with CAI. CONCLUSION: The present study found that there is moderate to a good relationship between isometric gluteal muscle strength and balance in participants with chronic ankle stability.
Keywords: Chronic ankle sprain, postural stability, postural control, hip abductor strength, hip extension strength
