Location
Northwestern College, Rowenhorst Student Center
Abstract
Context: Ankle dorsiflexion is the degree to which the dorsal aspect of the foot can be brought closer in relation to the shin. Restricted ankle dorsiflexion can cause altered biomechanics and loading patterns, which can lead to injury from over-compensation in movement patterns. Limited ankle dorsiflexion alters frontal and sagittal plane biomechanics and has been hypothesized to contribute to common lower extremity injuries. The weight-bearing lunge test is a simple clinical evaluation test that can measure the range of ankle dorsiflexion. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between restricted range of motion with ankle dorsiflexion and lower extremity injuries. We hypothesized restricted range of motion at the ankle would lead to increased stress on other joints resulting in chronic stress injuries. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Athletic training clinic at a mid-west NAIA institution. Participants: One-hundred forty-eight college athletes (104 males and 44 females; age = 19.32 ± 1.21 years, height = 69.64 ± 4.89 inches, mass = 81.39 ± 18.57 kg) who were all fall sport athletes (football, N=70; women’s volleyball, N=17; men’s soccer, N=34 and women’s soccer, N=27) were the participants of this study. Some athletes were excluded from the study if they had suffered a lower extremity injury in the previous year. Main Outcome Measures: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured using the weight-bearing lunge test; lower extremity noncontact injuries recorded via The Athletic Trainer System®. Results: Results were calculated using T-Tests via IBM SPSS® software. There was a total of 25 injured and 123 uninjured athletes. There was no statistical significance in ankle dorsiflexion between recorded injured and uninjured participants (p = 0.817). The average dorsiflexion for injured participants = 41.01° ± 6.28°. The average for uninjured = 41.85° ± 6.76°. Asymmetry between left and right ankle when compared to injured (2.1° ± 1.63°) vs. uninjured (2.49° ± 1.92°) was not significance (p = 0.290). Conclusion: There was no significant data to assume correlation or causation between restricted ankle dorsiflexion measured via the weight-bearing lunge test and increased risk of lower extremity noncontact injury. Lack of significance comparing asymmetry between left and right leg in both injured and uninjured groups provided further support for this conclusion.
The Prevalence of Lower Extremity Non-Contact Injuries in Athletic Populations in Relation to Measured Ankle Dorsiflexion
Northwestern College, Rowenhorst Student Center
Context: Ankle dorsiflexion is the degree to which the dorsal aspect of the foot can be brought closer in relation to the shin. Restricted ankle dorsiflexion can cause altered biomechanics and loading patterns, which can lead to injury from over-compensation in movement patterns. Limited ankle dorsiflexion alters frontal and sagittal plane biomechanics and has been hypothesized to contribute to common lower extremity injuries. The weight-bearing lunge test is a simple clinical evaluation test that can measure the range of ankle dorsiflexion. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between restricted range of motion with ankle dorsiflexion and lower extremity injuries. We hypothesized restricted range of motion at the ankle would lead to increased stress on other joints resulting in chronic stress injuries. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Athletic training clinic at a mid-west NAIA institution. Participants: One-hundred forty-eight college athletes (104 males and 44 females; age = 19.32 ± 1.21 years, height = 69.64 ± 4.89 inches, mass = 81.39 ± 18.57 kg) who were all fall sport athletes (football, N=70; women’s volleyball, N=17; men’s soccer, N=34 and women’s soccer, N=27) were the participants of this study. Some athletes were excluded from the study if they had suffered a lower extremity injury in the previous year. Main Outcome Measures: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured using the weight-bearing lunge test; lower extremity noncontact injuries recorded via The Athletic Trainer System®. Results: Results were calculated using T-Tests via IBM SPSS® software. There was a total of 25 injured and 123 uninjured athletes. There was no statistical significance in ankle dorsiflexion between recorded injured and uninjured participants (p = 0.817). The average dorsiflexion for injured participants = 41.01° ± 6.28°. The average for uninjured = 41.85° ± 6.76°. Asymmetry between left and right ankle when compared to injured (2.1° ± 1.63°) vs. uninjured (2.49° ± 1.92°) was not significance (p = 0.290). Conclusion: There was no significant data to assume correlation or causation between restricted ankle dorsiflexion measured via the weight-bearing lunge test and increased risk of lower extremity noncontact injury. Lack of significance comparing asymmetry between left and right leg in both injured and uninjured groups provided further support for this conclusion.