Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of unilateral ankle instability on walking energy expenditure. Chronic ankle instability group consisted of 20 subjects their age average (21.4 +/- 5.55) years, height average (177.85 +/- 4.96) cm and weight average (81.25 +/- 6.87) kg, they were referred from orthopedic specialist. The control group consisted of 20 normal subjects, their age average (24.65 +/- 4.61) years, height average (178.7 +/- 3.76) cm and weight average (80.4 +/- 12.43) kg. Participants walked on a treadmill at two speeds 5 km/h (comfortable walking) and 6.5 km/h (fast walking) for three min with resting period of twenty minutes between each test. Before testing there was 3 min warm up at 1.5 km/h, and after each test there was 3 min recovery at 1.5 km/h. The oxygen consumption and energy expenditure at the two speeds are measured by using ZAN 100 flow handy. medical device with a PC-connected to open spirometry system. Results revealed that there was a significant increase in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure of the two groups as walking speed increased from 5 to 6.5 km/h. There was no significant difference in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure between both groups at walking speed 5 km/h. However, the oxygen consumption and energy expenditure of chronic ankle instability group was significantly higher than control group at walking speed 6.5 km/h. So, chronic ankle instability increased the walking energy cost especially during fast walking.