Abstract
A decrease in ankle dorsiflexion causes changes in biomechanics, and different instruments have been used for ankle dorsiflexion testing under static conditions. Consequently, the industry of inertial sensors has developed easy-to-use devices, which measure dynamic ankle dorsiflexion and provide additional parameters such as velocity, acceleration, or movement deviation. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyze the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of an inertial device for measuring dynamic weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. Sixteen participants were tested using an inertial device (WIMU) and a digital inclinometer. Ankle dorsiflexion from left and right ankle repetitions was used for validity analysis, whereas test-retest reliability was analyzed by comparing measurements from the first and second days. The standard error of the measurement (SEM) between the instruments was very low for both ankle measurements (SEM < 0.6°). No significant differences between instruments were found for the left ankle measurement (p > 0.05) even though a significant systematic bias (~1.77°) was found for the right ankle (d = 0.79). R2 was very close to 1 in the left and right ankles (R2 = 0.85–0.89) as well as the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.95). Test-retest reliability analysis showed that systematic bias was below 1° for both instruments, even though a systematic bias (~1.50°) with small effect size was found in the right ankle (d = 0.49) with WIMU. The ICC was very close to 1 and the coefficient of variation (CV) was lower than 4% in both instruments. Thus, WIMU is a valid and reliable inertial device for measuring dynamic weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion.
Highlights
Ankle dorsiflexion is defined as the movement that decreases the angle between the foot and the leg, in which the shin is brought towards the toes
A reduced ankle dorsiflexion is associated with the risk of suffering anterior cruciate ligament injury [4,5], plantar fasciitis [6], Osgood Schlatter disease [7], and patellar tendinopathy [8,9]
intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was very close to 1 and coefficient of variation (CV) was lower than 4% in both instruments
Summary
Ankle dorsiflexion is defined as the movement that decreases the angle between the foot and the leg, in which the shin is brought towards the toes. Considering that the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are plantar flexors, a decrease in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is observed when these muscles are shortened, which causes a change in biomechanics as a result of ankle pronation and knee flexion [1]. Ankle dorsiflexion is considered a crucial component of lower limb balance and flexibility [2]. Restricted ankle flexibility could alter jumping kinematics by increasing landing forces, which predispose the athlete to get injured [3]. In this sense, from a clinical perspective, the evaluation of the ankle dorsiflexion is important in terms of lower limb injury prevention [3]. A reduced ankle dorsiflexion is associated with the risk of suffering anterior cruciate ligament injury [4,5], plantar fasciitis [6], Osgood Schlatter disease [7], and patellar tendinopathy [8,9]
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