WEIGHT BEARING ANKLE DORSIFLEXION RANGE OF MOTION CORRELATES WITH DYNAMIC BALANCE IN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS WITH CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and dynamic balance in volleyball players with chronic ankle instability. Thirty-five female volleyball athletes were included in the study. Dynamic balance was evaluated by star excursion balance test with anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances. Weight bearing lunge test was used to measure ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Spearman correlation test was conducted for statistical analysis. There were significant correlation between ankle dorsiflexion ROM and SEBT anterior (p= 0.006) and posteromedial reach (p=0.009) in injured ankle. Posterolateral reach of SEBT was not correlated with ankle dorsiflexion ROM (p>0.05). Deficits in ankle dorsiflexion ROM due to chronic ankle instability may be responsible for decreased balance performance in volleyball athletes.