The Relationship between Core Muscles Dysfunction and Chronic Ankle Instability: A Review

Objective The aim of this study is investigate the core muscles dysfunctions and their consequences in patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods In this review study, search was conducted in three online databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar based on Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) strategy, and using keywords related to the role and function of core muscles, their electromyography, kinematic patterns of proximal segments, and postural stability in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Results Seven studies were finally selected for the review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicated that individuals with chronic ankle instability in comparison with healthy peers have different electromyography and kinematic patterns of proximal segments (trunk, abdomen and pelvis). Conclusion Muscle activity and kinematic patterns of proximal segments in individuals with chronic ankle instability are different to those of healthy ones. These differences are compensatory strategies for postural stability. These strategies may not provide the body’s need to maintain and control the poster in new environments or during complex activities. Further studies are needed to investigate effects of the correction of core muscle function on the postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability.