Just read the full text and was struck by the fact that mean passive dorsiflexion was < 5 deg., while (in all test conditions) mean dorsiflexion was about 20 degrees or more.
Can anyone help me out with an explanation?
Thanks.
No explanation for it, but seen it many times in different projects. Seen some who have large range passively. but never go past, for eg, 5 degrees when walking; then seen others with very limited ROM, but dynamically, they easily go past 10 degrees.
CONCLUSION: Static ankle ROM has nothing to do with what is used dynamically.
Read the methods section of the paper more closely and you will find that the researchers measured passive dorsiflexion when clinically examining the subjects and then measured "ankle dorsiflexion excursion" (difference of maximum vs minimum ankle motion) when studying the kinematics of gait.
In other words, ankle dorsiflexion and ankle dorsiflexion excursion are two totally different measures and should not be compared against each other.
I have read a lot recently about the lunge test since I heard about it at your Foot Orthoses Seminar Craig (BTW, the seminar was excellent).
Although much less experienced / learned than many, I have a bit of trouble getting used to the idea of putting a heel raise in a shoe / on an orthotic as a first line of treatment when AJ range is limited.
My instinct is to try and increase that range with stretches, mobilisations, night splints, etc rather than accommodate that lack of range and potentially cause further tightness / stiffness.