The Influence Of Ankle Dorsiflexion Limitation On Injury Risks Among Volleyball Athletes

During the jumping of volleyball, single-leg takeoff, and landing movements often require a significant dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) at the ankle. Impaired ROM during landing is linked to an increased injury risk. Yet, most previous studies on landing biomechanics assessments—such as the landing error scoring system (LESS)—have predominantly focused on bilateral leg landings. In contrast, the effects of single-leg landings have seldom been investigated. PURPOSE: If limited ankle DFROM affects the single-leg landing, dynamic valgus index (DVI), and vertical jump height in volleyball players using a convenient clinical single-leg LESS (SL-LESS). METHODS: A total of 38 female volleyball team members (age: 21.9 ± 2.5 years, height: 161.3 ± 5.5 cm, weight: 54.8 ± 7.7 Kg) were recruited. A physiotherapist evaluated participants' ankle DFROM using a weight-bearing lunge test. A cut-off point was set at 37 degrees; less than this angle was defined as a limited ankle DFROM. All participants underwent the SL-LESS and single-leg vertical jump height measurements sequentially. RESULTS: The limited ankle DFROM group consisted of 18 individuals, while the normal ankle DFROM group included 20 individuals. The two groups had no significant differences in age, height, or weight. Compared to the normal group, the limited ankle DFROM group had significantly worse SL-LESS scores (p = 0.001) and a considerably higher DVI (p = 0.05), indicating potentially higher injury risk. No significant differences in vertical jump height were found. Furthermore, the results showed a moderate correlation between SL-LESS and DVI (r = 0.41, p = 0.01), while vertical jump height had low correlations with both SL-LESS and DVI. CONCLUSIONS: Limited ankle DFROM is associated with reduced landing stability and an increased DVI, albeit no difference in vertical jump height. We recommend that clinical professionals pay attention to athletes’ ankle DFROM to prevent the lower limb sports injury risk.NSTC 112-2410-H-037 -017