Comparison of maximum strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, maximum joint angle of stability and instability ankle by Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool.
Jong-Ha Hwang, Chan-Myeong Kim, Jong-Kyung Lee and 2 others
PMID 34658514WHAT IT FOUND
Young adults classified by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool as having chronic instability showed weaker ankle muscles, poorer joint position sense, reduced forward reach on a balance test, and limited dorsiflexion compared to a stable group.
The questionnaire identified these measurable deficits.
Key findings
01Participants classified with chronic ankle instability had significantly lower maximum muscle strength in both dorsiflexion and plantarflexion compared to the control group.
02The instability group demonstrated significantly higher error in joint position sense (proprioception) for both dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
03Dynamic balance was significantly impaired in the anterior direction, and maximum dorsiflexion range was significantly reduced, while posterior balance directions and plantarflexion range showed no significant differences.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study used a cross-sectional design, so it cannot prove that ankle instability causes these deficits or that the CAIT score directly reflects them. Participants were all physical therapy students, which may not represent the general population or patients with different activity levels. The sample size was small (44 total). The study did not account for relative muscle strength based on body weight or relative dynamic balance based on leg length. The authors noted the study was conducted over a short time, limiting generalizability.
Declared interests
There are no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the CAIT score is a direct measure of physical function. It is a self-report tool used here to group participants; the physical deficits were measured separately. A high score does not guarantee normal strength or balance, and a low score does not confirm the specific magnitude of deficit without physical testing.