Effectiveness of Dorsal Glide Mobilization on Ankle Mobility and Basketball Performance

Effectiveness of Dorsal Glide Mobilization of the Ankle Joint on Range of Motion and Performance in Young Basketball Athletes With Unilateral Restricted Ankle Dorsiflexion: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Ankle dorsiflexion is a crucial factor for functional lower limb performance, particularly in sports like basketball, where dynamic movements, direction changes, jumps, and landings are essential for athletic success. Eccentric exercise has been shown to improve dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), enhancing muscle strength, flexibility, and athletic performance. Additionally, ankle joint mobilization, specifically posterior talocrural glide, has demonstrated promising results in improving mobility, restoring ROM, and reducing compensatory movement strategies. However, the combined effects of eccentric exercise and joint mobilization on increasing ankle dorsiflexion ROM and improving athletic performance in young basketball athletes have not yet been sufficiently investigated.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of combining eccentric exercise and posterior talocrural glide mobilization in improving ankle dorsiflexion ROM and enhancing athletic performance in young basketball athletes.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including 38 young basketball athletes with confirmed restricted ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. Both groups will follow a five-week training program consisting of eccentric exercises and stretching, performed two times per week, to improve athletic performance. The intervention group, in addition to the exercise program, will undergo ankle joint mobilization sessions for the same duration.

Ankle dorsiflexion ROM, maximum isometric strength of the ankle muscles, fatigue resistance through specific endurance tests, and performance via functional tests will be assessed at baseline, at the end of the five-week program, and three months after the intervention. Statistical analysis will be conducted using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, with the significance level set at p < 0.05.

Background: Ankle dorsiflexion is a crucial factor for functional lower limb performance, particularly in sports like basketball, where dynamic movements, direction changes, jumps, and landings are essential for athletic success. Eccentric exercise has been shown to improve dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), enhancing muscle strength, flexibility, and athletic performance. Additionally, ankle joint mobilization, specifically posterior talocrural glide, has demonstrated promising results in improving mobility, restoring ROM, and reducing compensatory movement strategies. However, the combined effects of eccentric exercise and joint mobilization on increasing ankle dorsiflexion ROM and improving athletic performance in young basketball athletes have not yet been sufficiently investigated.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of combining eccentric exercise and posterior talocrural glide mobilization in improving ankle dorsiflexion ROM and enhancing athletic performance in young basketball athletes.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including a total of 38 young basketball athletes with confirmed restricted ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. Both groups will follow a five-week training program consisting of eccentric exercises and stretching, performed two times per week, to improve athletic performance. In addition, all participants will continue their regular basketball-specific and plyometric team training throughout the study period, ensuring equivalent overall training exposure between groups and controlling for potential confounding effects of training load. The intervention group, in addition to the exercise program, will undergo ankle joint mobilization sessions for the same duration, whereas the control group will not receive joint mobilization.

Ankle dorsiflexion ROM, maximum isometric strength of the ankle muscles, fatigue resistance through specific endurance tests, and performance via functional tests will be assessed at baseline, at the end of the five-week program, and three months after the intervention. Statistical analysis will be conducted using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, with the significance level set at p < 0.05.

Expected Outcomes: Improvements in ankle dorsiflexion ROM, muscle strength, and athletic performance are expected, along with a reduction in fatigue and compensatory movement strategies. The intervention is also anticipated to enhance ankle stability and lower the risk of injuries.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants healthy and actively engaged in basketball training at the time of the study.
• No presence of ankle pain or use of medication for musculoskeletal injuries or pain management at the time of the study.
• Participation in regular training for at least one month prior to the study.
• A restriction in ankle dorsiflexion of at least 2 cm in one foot compared to the other, as measured using the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT).
• Written informed consent must be provided before participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of lower extremity surgery.
• Musculoskeletal injury to the lower extremity within the past six months.
• Presence of neurological, vestibular, or balance disorders, or diagnosed connective tissue disease.
• Inability to comply with the intervention or assessment procedures.