National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification Practice Exam

Following an ankle sprain, the muscles that are likely to demonstrate decreased neural control are primarily located around the hips, specifically the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus. This decreased neural control can occur due to various factors related to the injury, including proprioceptive deficits and neurological changes that affect muscle activation patterns.

In the case of an ankle sprain, the body often compensates for the injured area, which can lead to altered movement patterns and decreased strength in the stabilizing hip muscles. The gluteus medius plays a crucial role in stabilizing the pelvis, especially during activities that involve one-leg stance, such as walking or running. If this muscle does not activate properly due to a sprain, it can affect overall lower body biomechanics, leading to further issues not just at the ankle but also at the knee and hip.

While other muscles, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, may also experience some degree of altered neural control or recruitment patterns following an ankle injury, the specific focus on the gluteal muscles highlights their importance in maintaining stability and coordinated movement in the kinetic chain. The rotator cuff muscles are not relevant in the context of an ankle sprain, as they are involved with