Effect of lace-up ankle braces on electromyography measures during walking in adults with chronic ankle instability

Fifteen recreationally active patients with chronic ankle instability underwent treadmill walking with and without the use of lace-up ankle braces. The purpose of this study was to determine if lower extremity surface electromyography (sEMG) timing and amplitude were affected by the use of lace-up ankle braces during treadmill walking. In this crossover design, all participants performed the walking trial with and without bracing. The results of this study indicated significantly lower signal amplitude of the peroneus longus prior to inital contact of the foot, delayed activation in the anterior tibialis, peroneus longus, rectus femoris and gluteus medius, and lower overall percent activation of the peroneus longus and rectus femoris muscles over the duration of the stride cycle.