The Effect of Cognitive Tasks on Single Limb Balance

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of performing various cognitive tasks on balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability and healthy controls. Three different cognitive tasks will be performed while participants balance on one limb. Chronic ankle instability is defined as having a history of at least one ankle sprain and having residual effects. The specific aims of this study are to: 1. Determine if performing the cognitive tasks effect single limb balancing. 2. Determine which cognitive task, if any, has the greatest effect on single limb balance. Participants will perform single-limb balancing with eyes open on the force plate while performing one of the four cognitive tasks. You will start with the control condition, the order of cognitive tasks will be random. Testing will occur on both limbs. 1. Each trial will last 1 minute. There will be at least a 30 second rest period between trials. 2. You will perform 3 trials of each cognitive task prior to moving on to the next task. There will be a 5 minute rest between cognitive tasks. 3. You will complete all testing on one limb (counterbalanced) prior to moving to the other limb.