BIOMECHANICAL EFFECTS OF HYPERPRONATION ON MULTIDIRECTIONAL ANKLE ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT AND STIFFNESS
Abstract
Hyperpronation of the foot is believed to contribute to ankle hypermobility and associated stiffness reduction, but the underlying biomechanical mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimsed to investigate multidirectional ankle displacement and associated stiffness when a posterior–anterior impact force was applied to the posterior knee compartment. Forty healthy adults with and without foot hyperpronation were recruited. A three-dimensional motion capture system and force plates were used to acquire angular displacement and ankle joint moment data. The independent t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the group differences in ankle angular displacement, moment, and stiffness. Spearman’s rho test was performed to determine the relationship between ankle angular displacement and stiffness. The hyperpronation group demonstrated significantly greater sagittal (p=0.003) and frontal plane (p=0.033) angular displacements and reduced sagittal plane ankle stiffness (p=0.026) than the neutral group. The Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a close inverse relationship between the ankle angular displacement and stiffness, ranging from r=−0.44 to −0.55. The biomechanical data in our study suggest that individuals with foot hyperpronation present with multidirectional hypermobility and a reduction in ankle stiffness. These factors contribute to an increased risk of ankle-foot injury in individuals with foot hyperpronation.
