05/06/2020
: ANKLE DORISFLEXION
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READY: > 10 cm knees past toes
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Our ability to bring our knee past our toes on the ground (ankle dorsiflexion) tremendously affects how we move upright. If ankle dorsiflexion is limited, compensations will occur elsewhere in the leg to make up for the limitation.
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THE READY MOVE:
Without shoes, place toe on a 10 cm marking and stick at the 0 cm marking (can use a wall instead of a stick). Bend knee over 2nd toe to touch knee to the stick/wall. If you can touch your knee comfortably without…
❌ lifting your heel
❌ collapsing your arch
❌ turning your hips
❌ tracking your knee offline
Then repeat on other side. If both side is at least 10 cm and equal on both sides, then your ankle dorsiflexion is Ready!
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HOW-TO TIPS:
🔺 If you feel tightness in the calf, try stretching your gastrocnemius or soleus muscle
🔺 If you feel tightness in front of the ankle, you may need ankle joint mobilizations
🔺 If you collapse your arch, you may need intrinsic foot muscle strengthening
🔺 Previous ankle injuries may affect your ability to do this move. Get assessed to see what you need to do to improve your dorsiflexion
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
🔺Sufficient ankle dorsiflexion is necessary for pretty much any upright activity (ie. walking, squatting, running, etc). If you lack this ROM, you will compensate using other muscles and joints to achieve more dorsiflexion. Over time, this can cause compensation injuries (like bunions, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, patellar femoral pain syndrome, etc)
🔺Good ankle mobility is important to load and unload weight on the leg properly.
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There are stretches, mobilizations and exercises to help you be Ready for better ankle dorsiflexion. DM for some info!
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Disclaimer: Try this within reason. If painful, get assessed by a healthcare professional.
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: Movements to get You Ready for Anything
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