THE EFFECT OF MYOELECTRIC STIMULATION ON PERONEAL MUSCLES TO RESIST SUDDEN SIMULATED ANKLE SPRAIN MOTIONS

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of myoelectric stimulation on peroneal muscles to resist sudden simulated ankle sprain motions. Ten male subjects performed unanticipated inversion and supination spraining motions simulated by a mechanical sprain simulator. Myoelectric stimulations with different delay time were delivered to the peroneal muscles to initiate involuntary muscle contraction and ankle joint pronation torque to resist the spraining motion. The motion was captured and analyzed by a motion analysis system, and was quantified by the reduction of maximum heel tilting angle and angular velocity. Results showed significant effect in all conditions with the myoelectric stimulation of any delay time within 15ms. The maximum heel tilting angle and angular velocity dropped from 18 to 9-13 degrees and from 200-250 to 140-170 degree/s respectively. The present corrective mechanism could be implemented in our current research to develop an intelligent sprain-free sport shoe attempting to prevent ankle sprain injury in sports.