The Relationship Between Ankle Joint Flexibility and Squatting Knee Flexion Posture in Young Malaysian Men

Adequate flexibility in ankle dorsiflexion is necessary for normal performance of functiona l activities. In addition, it is considered to be a risk factor of falls for the elderly and sport injuries in healthy males. The aim of this study was to clarify the intrinsic factor influencing the squatting knee flexion posture by discriminant analysis and to investigate the utility of ankle joint dorsiflexion measurement using this posture in healthy males. Ninety one healthy male subjects were asked to squat with their heels down and they were divided into 2 groups: 65 subjects were assigned to the possible squatting group and the remaining to th e impossible squatting group. The anthropometric characteristics of the subjects were assessed and the flexibility and movement range of the lower extremities were tested. To identify the intrinsic factor influencing the squatting knee flexion posture, a discriminant analysis was performed. The sensitivity, specificity and cutoff values for the factor were also evaluated. Analysis revealed that body weight and ankle dorsiflexion flexibility was significantly associated with the ability to assume the squatting knee flexion posture. The impossible squatting group showed a reduced ankle dorsiflexion. Thus, the squatting knee flexion posture is a useful, easy and objective method to measure ankle joint dorsiflexion flexibility.