PTCohortInternational journal of sports physical therapy2024

Effect of Sex and Lateral Ankle Sprain History on Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion Asymmetry During the Weight Bearing Lunge Test.

Kathrine P Cady, Mark De Ste Croix, Martine Deighan

PMID 38835979

WHAT IT FOUND

Recreational athletes with a history of lateral ankle sprain had less dorsiflexion range of motion than those without.

Females showed slightly more range than males. However, the magnitude of left-right asymmetry was not different between sexes or those with and without prior sprains.

Key findings

01Participants with a history of lateral ankle sprain had significantly less dorsiflexion range of motion (9.48 cm) than those without (11.25 cm).

02Females had significantly greater dorsiflexion range of motion (10.91 cm) than males (9.82 cm).

03The magnitude of interlimb asymmetry in dorsiflexion range of motion was not significantly different based on sex or history of lateral ankle sprain.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs

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What it does not show

The study used a single testing session, but asymmetry can vary considerably across different sessions. Participants were from various recreational sports and levels, so findings may not apply to elite athletes in specific sports. The study did not measure how these range of motion differences affect actual movement or performance tasks. The clinical significance of the 1.09 cm difference in range of motion between sexes is unclear.

Declared interests

No conflicts of interest or funding sources were reported in the provided text.

The easy way to misread this

Do not assume that interlimb asymmetry in dorsiflexion is a reliable indicator of prior ankle sprain history, as the magnitude of asymmetry did not differ between those with and without sprains.

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