This study investigated the effects of 10° uphill and downhill walking exercises on balance, muscle activation, and plantar pressure in adults with chronic ankle instability (CAI). A total of 41 participants were divided into three groups: a normal c...
This study investigated the effects of 10° uphill and downhill walking exercises on balance, muscle activation, and plantar pressure in adults with chronic ankle instability (CAI). A total of 41 participants were divided into three groups: a normal control group (n=13), a 10° uphill walking exercise group (n=14), and a 10° downhill walking exercise group (n=14). Static balance, dynamic balance (assessed using the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test, MSEBT), muscle activation during MSEBT, and plantar pressure during level walking were measured before and after the intervention in the CAI groups, with the results compared to the pre-intervention values of the control group.
Static balance results indicated no significant differences between the CAI groups and the control group before or after the intervention. In the 10° uphill walking exercise group, dynamic balance significantly improved post-intervention, with increased anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach distances and composite scores, narrowing the gap with the control group. Muscle activation analysis showed a significant increase in peroneus longus activity during the anterior reach in the 10° uphill walking exercise group, approaching the control group’s level. Plantar pressure analysis revealed no significant differences between groups before or after the intervention; however, the 10° uphill walking exercise group showed a significant post-intervention increase in forefoot pressure, aligning more closely with the control group.
These findings suggest that 10° uphill walking is effective in enhancing dynamic balance, stabilizing muscle activation, and improving plantar pressure distribution in individuals with CAI. Conversely, 10° downhill walking showed limited benefits in reducing these disparities. This study highlights the potential of incline-based walking exercises as a targeted rehabilitation strategy for CAI. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is warranted to validate these results