Investigation of Underlying Mechanisms for the Modulation of Multi-dimensional Ankle Stiffness

Characterization of multivariable ankle stiffness is important for better understanding how the ankle supports lower-extremity functions. The purpose of this research project is to further investigate the underlying mechanisms for the modulation of multi-dimensional ankle stiffness; specifically, the relationship between ankle stiffness and the independent variables: ankle center of pressure and ankle modulating muscle activation. As such, it is hypothesized that muscle activation and center of pressure information can be used to accurately predict ankle stiffness in both the sagittal and frontal planes.