Effects of Ankle Joint Exercise Programs with Hip Joint and Lumbopelvic Exercises on the Muscle Activity of Adults with Functional Ankle Instability

In subjects with functional ankle instability, lumbopelvic instability causes instability of the hip and lower extremities. The purpose of this study is to determine whether an ankle exercise program with hip strengthening exercise and lumbopelvic stabilization exercise affects spine and ankle stability through muscle activity in adults with functional ankle instability. Thirty adults with functional ankle instability were randomly assigned to a hip joint strengthening exercise group and a lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group. The subjects participated in the designated program three times a week for 40 minutes a day. In the hip joint strengthening exercise group, a general hip joint strengthening exercise was used, and in the lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group, a lumbopelvic stabilization exercise using a sling was added. The intervention lasted 4 weeks, and both groups were instructed to refrain from other exercise during the 4-week intervention period. The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, gluteus maximus, external oblique and contralateral latissimus dorsi was measured. Data were collected from the 30 patients. The results showed that the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, gluteus maximus, lateral oblique muscle, and contralateral latissimus dorsi was significantly increased in both groups. This suggests that the existing hip joint strengthening exercise and lumbopelvic stabilization exercise are effective approaches which not only help reduce hip joint pain and improve function, but also reduce functional ankle instability. Therefore, if an appropriate exercise program is provided for subjects with functional ankle instability, it is expected that it will help improve pain and function by reducing ankle instability and the frequency of re- injury.