Kinematic Analysis of the Ankle Joint During Fatigue
Objective: This study aims to investigate fatigue induced kinematic changes of the ankle joint on recreational runners on a three-dimensional level in a controlled running laboratory environment.
Design: Experimental study Setting Gait lab, sports department, University Hospital of Antwerp.
Participants: 12 male recreational runners.
Assessment: All runners completed a one-hour treadmill run with a running pace predetermined by sports medical assessment to ensure fatigue was induced.
Main Outcome Measures: Physiologic parameters and a subjective fatigue scale ensured that fatigue was reached. Kinematic data in three dimensions were obtained by a pressure plate and infrared camera observation of 33 markers placed on the body and shoes.
Results: All the participants reached fatigue. The measurement of step time parameters before and during fatigue showed no significant difference in this study group. Regarding ankle kinematics defined in three dimensions no significant differences before and during fatigue were found.
Conclusion: Fatigue was induced successfully in all the participants after completing the fatigue protocol. No statistically significant changes were observed in the kinematics of the ankle of recreational runners, nor in the step time parameters.
Clinical Relevance: As there is no significant change in ankle kinematics after fatigue is induced in recreational runners, the focus of prevention of RRI is more likely to be found elsewhere.
Keywords: Kinematics, Ankle joint, Fatigue, Running
Citation: Schwagten K, Roeykens J, Karssiens TJ, Burssens A, Gielen J. “Kinematic Analysis of the Ankle Joint During Fatigue”. SVOA Orthopaedics 1:2 (2021) Pages 39-47.