Ankle Dorsiflexion Differences Due to Fatigue in Men's Division II Collegiate Basketball Players

Ankle Dorsiflexion Differences Due to Fatigue in Men's Division II Collegiate Basketball Players

Alvin Sherman Library

Previous research indicates the biomechanics at the ankle joint can lead to increased risk of injury such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, Achilles rupture, or patellofemoral tendinopathy. Studies also revealed that the establishment of baseline ankle range-of-motion (ROM) measures can allow the decrease of injury for a team over the course of professional season. Understanding ankle ROM norms can lead to detecting critical injuries and the development of a strength and conditioning plan to help avoid injury. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship that fatigue has upon ankle ROM using a static lunge test to record a numerical measure and a practice session to simulate competitive fatigue. For this project, 15 Male Division II Collegiate Athletes participated in this study. Participants completed a static, weight bearing lunge, also known as a "toe-to-wall" test both before and after a practice session that simulates fatigue. The ankle dorsiflexion was also measured and changes both before and after the practice session will be identified and analyzed. Results indicated no significant change in ankle range of motion, specifically right (p = 0.0006) and left (p=0.000004) ankle dorsiflexion among most basketball players after an intensive practice session. However, these results provide insight into injury biomechanics, allowing clinicians to adapt or manage workload among high-level basketball players to reduce significant time-loss injuries.