A069: People with Chronic Ankle Instability Sacrifice Sports Performanceto Reduce Injury Risk in Dual Tasks

Background/Purpose: The people with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit intricate neurophysiological changes, particularly evident during dual-task (DT) perturbations, reflecting altered movement strategies. However, there is limited and conflicting information regarding the relationship of sports performance and risk of injury among people with CAI in DT conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of sports performance and injury risk among people with and without chronic ankle CAI when performing 45° side-cutting in single task (ST) and DT conditions. Methods: Forty participants were recruited into CAI (n=20, age: 21.4±1.3years, height: 175.7±8.6cm, body mass: 71.7±12.4kg) or non-CAI (n=20, age: 21.1±2.0years, height: 176.2±7.7cm, body mass: 70.1±11.2kg) groups. Each participant completed five side-cutting trials in both ST (sole side-cutting) and DT (side-cutting combined with random three-digit minus three calculations) conditions. Kinematic data was recorded by a twelve-camera motion capture system at 100Hz. The ankle's maximum (max) inversion angle and velocity of center of gravity (COG) during the side-cutting phase were calculated. Two-factor ANOVA test with repeated measures was used for data analysis. Results: Significant interactions were detected in ankle's max inversion angle (p < 0.001, η2p=0.346) and COG velocity (p < 0.001, η2p=0.304). Compared with ST, people with and without CAI both showed a reduced ankle's max inversion angle (CAI: ST: 24.3±1.6°, DT: 18.8±1.6°, p < 0.001, d=4.11; non-CAI: ST: 27.1±1.6°, DT: 25.8±1.7°, p=0.05, d=0.77) and decreased COG velocity (CAI: ST: 2.5±0.1m/s, DT: 2.1±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=0.77; non-CAI: ST: 2.6±0.1m/s, DT: 2.5±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=1.43) under DT. The ankle's max inversion angle (CAI: ST: 24.3±1.6°, DT: 18.8±1.6°, p < 0.001, d=4.11; non-CAI: ST: 27.1±1.6°, DT: 25.8±1.7°, p=0.05, d=0.77) and COG velocity (CAI: ST: 2.5±0.1 m/s; DT: 2.1±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=0.77; non-CAI: ST: 2.6±0.1m/s, DT: 2.5±0.1m/s, p < 0.001, d=1.43) of people with CAI was lower than those without CAI under DT. Conclusion: The ankle's max inversion angle and COG velocity of people with CAI was lower than those without CAI under DT. Individuals with CAI sacrifice sports performance to reduce injury risk in DT.