Kinematic and kinetic characteristics of individuals with coping lateral ankle sprain during landing and walking/running tasks: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: We aimed to synthesize the kinematics and kinetics during landing and walking/running tasks of ankle copers compared with patients with chronic ankle instability and controls. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Tri-planar lower extremity biomechanics (joint angle and moment at maximum and initial contact, and joint displacement) were synthesized using standard mean difference and 95 % confidence intervals. We assessed methodological quality, study heterogeneity, and publication bias. Findings: We identified 13 studies. Pooled evidence indicated that copers had less inversion and eversion angles, and ankle frontal displacement during landing compared with patients with chronic ankle instability (|standard mean difference| 0.31–0.40). Copers revealed greater dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, and ankle sagittal displacement during landing and less plantarflexion moment during walking than patients with chronic ankle instability (|standard mean difference| 0.29–0.46); however, most ankle biomechanics of copers were not significantly different from those of controls. In the proximal joints, copers revealed less knee valgus angle at maximum and initial contact (|standard mean difference| 0.25–0.33); and less hip flexion angle at maximum and initial contact, hip external rotation angle and sagittal and frontal displacement during landing (standard mean difference 0.49–0.73) than patients with chronic ankle instability. Copers had less hip extension moment during walking and greater maximum hip adduction angle during landing than controls (|standard mean difference| 0.66–0.77). Interpretations: Our results provide insight into the lower extremity biomechanics of copers during dynamic tasks, contributing injury coping mechanisms and developing rehabilitation programs to return to sports.