Assessment of Weight-bearing Ankle Range of Motion Using the Ankle Test and Lower Body Test and Its Relationship With Ligamentous Hyperlaxity in Child Basketball Players Aged 8 to 15 Years

Overview

This research aims to complement existing podiatric studies by providing information on the relationship between ligamentous hyperlaxity, a benign condition more frequently found in the pediatric population, and ankle range of motion in child basketball players aged 8-15. Furthermore, this hyperlaxity will allow us to correlate it with the most frequent type of injury experienced by the participants and assess whether future research could develop a prevention plan for this population and extrapolate it to more professional categories.

Observational, cross-sectional, analytical (correlational and comparative) study: Measurements are taken at a single point in time. Groups defined by exposure (hypermobile vs. non-hypermobile) are compared. Associations between variables (hypermobility, ankle dorsiflexion, previous injuries) are analyzed. The study consists of 3 clinical tests that will be performed only once on the same day. First, hypermobility will be assessed in 5 subjects using the validated Beighton scale. This simple scale is used by pediatricians to assess generalized hypermobility. It consists of 5 tests: passive maximum elbow extension, passive maximum knee extension, passive dorsiflexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint, forward trunk flexion with knees straight while trying to place palms on the floor, and passive thumb apposition on the forearm while the shoulder is flexed to 90 degrees and the elbow is kept extended with the hand pronated. A goniometer will be used in the tests. Secondly, the Ankle Test with leg movement will be performed, a specific test of ankle dorsiflexion under bipedal weight-bearing. The test consists of flexing the knee to touch the leg movement marker set at a distance of 10 cm, thus bringing the ankle forward (anterior tibial displacement). In this way, we will assess the maximum distance reached without lifting the heel, translating these measurements in centimeters as the ankle dorsiflexion range. Once this position is reached, we will use an inclinometer (Easy Angle), placing it 15 cm from the tibial tuberosity and obtaining the same parameter, but in degrees. Finally, the ankle range of motion under single-leg weight-bearing will be assessed with the Lower Body Test using the Octobalance. The test consists of moving the foot as far away as possible from an object positioned 30 cm in front, behind, and to the left side (lines along which we will assess the range of motion). In that maximum position, we will interpret, in centimeters and in degrees using inclinometry, the range of motion of the ankle under load.