INTRODUCTION

Ankle braces are an important instrument in providing additional ankle support. Individuals may require additional ankle support as a result of an injury or as a means to prevent injury. Therefore, ankle braces may be worn during athletic activity as well as during normal daily tasks. Many studies have been conducted to examine the biomechanical effects of wearing an ankle brace. Potential changes in movement that result from wearing the brace need to be considered to avoid detrimental effects on the body. Bennell et al. (1994) studied the effects on postural control for subjects wearing an ankle brace. He observed the stability of individuals wearing braces in comparison to those without braces and determined that braces create a negative effect on postural control. The study suggests that a restriction of ankle movement by the brace may be the cause of this instability. This lack of control may be visible in the biomechanics of other body movements, such as gait. Burks et al. (1991) observed athletes performing a variety of tasks and found that supports caused a minor decrease in performance. In the case that wearing the brace does not present an increased risk of injury, we will explore the possibility of limited motion that may hinder performance.

The goal of our study is to analyze the motion at the trunk and leg segments of a subject wearing an ankle brace while walking. This will be compared to the gait pattern of the subject walking without the ankle brace. Large variances between these two walking patterns may place individuals at risk of injury due to a deviation from their normal gait and posture. We will study the two movements to determine whether a significant difference exists between these two gait cycles. Although the difference might not be large enough to cause injury, it may be enough to limit mobility. This decrease in range of motion might have a negative effect on athletic performance