"Evaluation of Weight-bearing Ankle Dorsiflexion Range in Professional Soccer Players"

Abstract

Introduction:The ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in closed kinetic chain (CCF) is an important variable that contributes to changes in lower limb mechanics in soccer, and its limitation increases the risk of injuries. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the range of ankle dorsiflexion with weight bearing in professional soccer players in Brazil, as well as to associate it with sports injuries.Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out with professional football teams in the pre-season of a Brazilian Football Championship in 2017. Initially, data were collected regarding professional career time, injury history and presence of post-game pain or post-workout. Subsequently, the evaluation of ankle dorsiflexion ROM in CCF, on both sides, was performed using the Leg Motion system.Results: there was no significant difference in ankle dorsiflexion ROM between the sides, in addition, the correlation between ankle dorsiflexion ROM and professional career time was weak, as well as between dorsiflexion ROM and age. There were also no associations between asymmetry and mobility restriction with post-game/training pain. However, asymmetry and limitation of dorsiflexion ROM showed association with injury history. Conclusion:we can conclude that the reference value of ankle dorsiflexion ROM with load in professional soccer players is like that already established in healthy players. However, asymmetry between the limbs and limited mobility of the ankle can influence the presence of injuries.