Effects of different support surfaces on postural stability and sensorimotor cortex activation among individuals with chronic ankle instability

Individuals with CAI exhibit impaired postural stability, particularly on unstable surfaces, accompanied by increased activation in the primary motor cortex, primary sensory cortex, somatosensory association cortex, and the premotor and supplementary motor area. These findings suggest a compensatory neural strategy, highlighting the critical role of cortical mechanisms in maintaining postural control in this population.