Ankle Dorsiflexion

Ankle motion may improve when structural pathology is not the main limiting constraint, but expected gains should be modest. A functional squat with good pelvis and foot position can express ankle mobility more truthfully than isolated testing. Without hand contact, the visible motion is dorsiflexion combined with inversion. The recommended movement volume is approximately three to five repetitions. Ankle motion or the relevant movement pattern should be retested after the set. Isolated ankle dorsiflexion tests can be influenced by factors other than true ankle joint mobility. Improved squat dorsiflexion is not claimed to necessarily transfer into live basketball play. After initial glide movements, the posterior glide is held while the ankle is progressively dorsiflexed. The compression and twisting contact are maintained while the foot moves into plantar flexion and inversion. The mobilization pairs a posterior talocrural glide with dorsiflexion. Ankle dorsiflexion can influence knee extension because the gastrocnemius crosses both the ankle and knee. The foot is moved into dorsiflexion and inversion while tissue approximation is maintained. Hip end-range positioning can make an…