The Relationships between Ankle Kinematics during Running and Static Ankle Measurements in Youth Soccer Players

Abstract

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is the most common injury in youth soccer. The mechanisms of LAS should be identified to develop effective injury prevention programs. Alignment and range of motion (ROM) are considered factors affecting kinematics during movement. Therefore, this study was designed to identify whether static measurements, including alignment and ROM, affect ankle kinematics related to LAS during running in youth soccer players. For this study, 100 participants were recruited. Data on rearfoot angle in the prone position (PRA), tibial varum, weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), passive eversion, passive inversion (PIN), and ankle kinematics during running of all participants were collected. Ankle kinematics were computed for dorsiflexion at the initial contact (IC), inversion at IC, maximum dorsiflexion (MDF), and maximum inversion (MIN). Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted with an alpha level of 0.05. PRA, WBLT, and PIN significantly predicted dorsiflexion at IC (R² = 0.144, P < 0.001), and PRA was a significant predictor on inversion at IC (R² = 0.227, P < 0.001). PRA and WBLT were significant predictors on MDF (R² = 0.330, P < 0.001), and PRA significantly predicted MIN (R² = 0.188, P < 0.001). Of significant predictors, only WBLT can be treated by joint mobilization. Thus, WBLT related to pronation, which makes the ankle in a closed-packed position, should be treated to increase DF ROM and ankle stability. In addition, low-speed running video analysis might be useful in screening for ankle malalignment.