Joint Angle, Range of Motion, Force, and Moment Assessment: Responses of the Lower Limb to Ankle Plantarflexion and Dorsiflexion

Abstract

There is limited research on the biomechanical assessment of the lower limb joints in relation to dynamic movements that occur at the hip, knee, and ankle joints when performing dorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion (PF) among males and females. This study investigated the differences in joint angles (including range of motion (ROM)) and forces (including moments) between the left and right limbs at the ankle, knee, and hip joints during dynamic DF and PF movements in both males and females. Using a general linear model employing multivariate analysis in relation to the joint angle, ROM, force, and moment datasets, the results revealed significant main effects for gender, sidedness, phases, and foot position with respect to joint angles. Weak correlations were observed between measured biomechanical variables. These results provide insightful information for clinicians and biomechanists that relate to lower limb exercise interventions and modelling efficacy standpoints.

Using clinician-oriented and laboratory-oriented assessments to study dynamic stability of individuals with chronic ankle instability

“…It has been reported that males’ ankle dorsiflexion ROM is significantly smaller than females. 52 Hence, for females, the ankle dorsiflexion ROM will decrease from a larger level to a smaller level after repeated AS, which may cause a significant difference in the anterior YBT score between CAIs and Copers. While for males, Copers’ ankle dorsiflexion ROM is relatively small and has limited space to decrease after repeated AS (i.e., CAI).…”

Quantitative Analysis of Isometric Ankle Torque and Muscle Activity during Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion

“…The normal range of motion (ROM) of the ankle during dorsiflexion is 10-20 degrees and 25-30 degrees during plantarflexion, contributing to inversion and eversion [7,8,9] Ankle injuries represent the most frequent type of injury encountered during exercise and sports activities. It is hypothesized that the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors may exert a protective effect against such injuries [10]. The ankle plantarflexors may raise the risk of an anterior cruciate ligament and knee injury, while, dorsiflexion cannot bear the same capacity of a shock compared with their counterparts [10,11].…”

“…It is hypothesized that the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors may exert a protective effect against such injuries [10]. The ankle plantarflexors may raise the risk of an anterior cruciate ligament and knee injury, while, dorsiflexion cannot bear the same capacity of a shock compared with their counterparts [10,11]. Fong et al conducted a systematic review in 24 out of 70 sports studies, it showed that the most common site of injuries is the ankle joint [12].…”

“…Some studies have been conducted to find the relationship between the ankle joint torque and the EMG. Ugbolue et al [10] conducted an investigation to distinguish the differences in joint angles, including (ROM), forces, and moments between the left and right limbs at the ankle, knee, and hip joints during dynamic dorsiflexion and plantarflexion movements in both males and females. The results revealed the effects of gender, sidedness, phases, and foot position on joint angles.…”

The ankle kinematic reference of normal gait pattern in Thai adults

“…Its motions are varusvalgus occurring in the frontal plane; dorsiflexion-plantar flexion in the sagittal plane; foot progression and ankle rotation in the transverse plane (2,3). The three-dimensional motion analysis system is widely used to evaluate ankle movements (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). This method requires a normal reference from healthy population to differentiate from abnormal conditions.…”