Effect of pelvic, hip, and knee position on ankle joint range of motion

ObjectiveTo determine if pelvic posture, hip, and knee positions influence range of motion about the ankle joint.Study designQuasi-experimental repeated measures.SettingBiomechanics laboratory in a university setting.ParticipantsEleven men and six women free of ankle joint trauma.Main outcome measuresRange of motion about the ankle joint.ResultsANOVA revealed a significant difference for position main effect on ankle joint range of motion (p=0.01). Post-hoc tests revealed that ankle joint range of motion significantly decreased as participants moved from flexion (i.e., 90° hip and 90° knee), to supine, and to long sitting (47.3°, 38.8°, and 16.4°; p<0.05). No significant differences were revealed for pelvic posture (p=0.64).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that pelvic posture may not influence ankle joint range of motion regardless of hip and knee joint positions. However, the combination of hip flexion and knee extension (i.e., long sitting) produces the greatest deficits in ankle joint range of motion.