Immediate Effects of Two Ankle Mobilization Techniques in the Amplitude of Dorsiflexion and Dynamic Valgus Knee

Immediate Effects of Two Ankle Mobilization Techniques in the Amplitude of Dorsiflexion and Dynamic Valgus Knee: a Random Clinical Test

Dynamic knee valgus is an inadequate biomechanical movement of multifactorial cause that may expose the individual to various injuries. The range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion is one of the possible influencing factors. This study intends to compare the immediate effect of two techniques on ankle mobility and dynamic knee valgus.

This study aims to verify the immediate effects of ankle mobilization on dynamic knee valgus and to compare two techniques of ankle mobility. It will include 102 lower limbs that present deficit of ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic knee valgus in the same lower limb.

Participants will be divided into two groups, one for ankle mobilization with movement aided by the therapist and another for self mobilization of the ankle. The two intervention groups will do the same protocol, same number of sets, repetitions and rest time.There will be randomisation allocation of individuals in the groups and because of the nature of the interventions only the evaluator may be blind.

The Kolmogorov - Smirnov test is used to verify the data distribution normality. The characterization of the participants is performed by means of descriptive statistical analysis. Parametric or non-parametric tests will be used according to the data distribution normality for comparison between groups at baseline. The evaluator blinding will be tested using the chi -square test by comparing the randomization code with the evaluator opinion. The difference between the groups and their respective confidence intervals will be calculated by linear mixed models using interaction term of "time versus group."

Inclusion Criteria:

• Physically active individuals (30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least three times a week with at least 6 months of practice); Men or women ranging in age from 18 to 35 years; (With a value equal to or less than 10 cm in the measuring tape and / or 2 cm difference between the limbs) and dynamic knee valgus (center of the patella surpassing the midpoint between the malleoles ) evaluated by Forward Step Down Test (FSDT).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who present any of these conditions will be excluded from the study: chronic ankle instability, previous surgery on the joints of the foot, ankle, knee, hip or ankle joint injury in the last 2 years that caused more than 1 month of withdrawal; Recent muscular or skeletal injuries that do not allow the exercises to be performed; Severe cardiac conditions or other pathological conditions that make physical therapy impossible.