Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Exercise Protocol Vs a Mobilisation with Movement Protocol in Improving Ankle Dorsiflexion in Amateur Football Players

A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Exercise Protocol Vs a Mobilisation with Movement Protocol in Improving Ankle Dorsiflexion in Amateur Football Players. Randomised Controlled Pilot Study

Objective: To evaluate and compare the immediate and short-term effectiveness of a therapeutic exercise protocol and a mobilisation with movement protocol, compared with a control group, in improving ankle dorsiflexion in amateur footballers.

Material and methods: A single-blind randomised controlled pilot study was developed. Participants were amateur football players randomized into 3 groups (therapeutic exercise, mobilization with movement and control). The intervention was carried out with 2 weekly sessions for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included the Ankle Lunge Test and the Single Leg Squat.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Football players over 18 years old who train a minimum of 3 days a week.
• Football players with ankle DF less than 9 cm or a difference greater than 1.5 cm between both feet, measured with the Ankle Lunge Test (ALT) using the LegMOtion© device.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Players who, during the ALT, achieve less than 9 cm or a difference greater than 1.5 cm between both feet but reporting limitation due to tension in the gastrocnemius muscle.
• Those with serious traumatic or rheumatological conditions that may interfere with the study.
• Players who have participated in specific programs to improve ankle DF in the last 3 months.
• Players with a history of ankle-foot surgery within the last 6 months.
• Non-registered players training in those clubs.
• Players unable to arrive 20 minutes prior to the beginning of the training session.