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Ankle dorsiflexion in adolescent athletes
1Department of Sports Medicine, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
|July 19, 2003
Summary
Ankle equinus, linked to lower-extremity issues, was studied in 40 athletes. Normal ankle dorsiflexion is near 0 degrees with the knee extended and under 5 degrees with the knee flexed.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Ankle equinus is a condition where the foot is abnormally angled downwards.
- It has been hypothesized to contribute to various lower-extremity pathologies.
- Establishing normal ankle dorsiflexion ranges is crucial for identifying deviations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify ankle dorsiflexion in asymptomatic adolescent athletes.
- To establish baseline measurements for comparison in clinical and research settings.
- To investigate potential differences in dorsiflexion between sexes and limbs.
Main Methods:
- Goniometric measurement of ankle dorsiflexion in 40 high-school athletes (16 girls, 24 boys).
- Measurements were taken with the knee in both extended and flexed positions.
- Subjects were in a supine position, and experienced evaluators performed the measurements.
Main Results:
- The mean ankle dorsiflexion was approximately 0.35° (right) and -0.6° (left) with the knee extended.
- With the knee flexed, mean dorsiflexion was approximately 4.88° (right) and 4.68° (left).
- No statistically significant differences were found between sexes or between the right and left ankles.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic adolescent athletes exhibit minimal ankle dorsiflexion with the knee extended (approx. 0°).
- Ankle dorsiflexion increases to nearly 5° when the knee is flexed in this population.
- These findings provide normative data for ankle dorsiflexion in healthy young athletes.