The association between ankle mobility and Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, iliotibial band stiffness and elasticity in athletes

Abstract

Objectives: The ankle range of motion in the kinetic chain is very important. The joint mobility can affect soft tissue mechanical features and alter athletic performance. This study aimed to determine whether there was a relationship between the stiffness and elasticity of iliotibial band (ITB), Achilles tendon (AT), plantar fascia (PF), and ankle mobility in athletes. Materials and Methods: Thirty professional athletes (n=10, basketball, n=10, volleyball, n=10, running) participated in this study. ITB-AT-PF- mechanical properties (stiffness and elasticity) were measured bilaterally with a Myoton-Pro. Ankle mobility was measured with an inclinometer during knee to wall lunge test. Results: Ankle mobility was not correlated with the mechanical properties (p>0.05). AT-stiffness had weak negative correlation with AT-elasticity (r=-0.46), ITB-stiffness had moderate negative correlation with ITB elasticity and weak positive correlation with AT-stiffness on the nondominant side (r=-0.65,0.44). AT-elasticity had moderate and weak negative correlations between AT and PF-stiffness, respectively (r=-0.63,-0.41), ITB-stiffness had weak negative correlation with ITB-elasticity on the dominant side (r=-0.36). Dominant side AT and nondominant side ITB-elasticity of runners and nondominant and dominant side ITB-stiffness of basketball players were significantly higher (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between ankle mobility and mechanical properties of the ITB-AT-PF. These findings may be useful in planning rehabilitation or conditioning programs in terms of injury prevention.