Development of comprehensive quantitative evaluation method of ankle plantar flexor muscle function and elucidation of pathology of chronic ankle instability

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H07049
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Hokkaido Chitose College of Rehabilitation
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI TAKUMI 北海道千歳リハビリテーション大学, 健康科学部, 教授 (90774711)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-08-25 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 理学療法学 / リハビリテーション評価学 / 足関節捻挫 / スポーツ外傷予防

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Chronic ankle instability was suggested to be associated with ankle muscle dysfunction, but consensus has not been obtained. Also, there was no muscle strength measurement method that is useful and simple in clinical situations. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate ankle muscle function in patients with chronic ankle instability and develop a simple and clinically applicable measurement method of ankle plantar flexion muscle strength. As a result, the usefulness of the novel muscle strength evaluation method was indicated. In addition, it was revealed that patients with chronic ankle instability had abnormal muscle stiffness of gastrocnemius muscles.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果によって，慢性足関節不安定症の病態解明が進展したと考えられる。また，慢性足関節不安定症の病態解明は足関節捻挫の発生・再発予防策の開発につながることから，本研究の成果は予防策考案の一助となる。加えて，有用性が証明された足関節筋力測定法は，今後，医療・スポーツ現場における外傷・障害発生のスクリーニング等に応用される可能性が高いと考えられる。