The Ankle and Foot 355Screening Test for Range of Motion for Ankle-Foot Plantar Flexion
Two tests are shown for measuring passive range of motion of the ankle-foot in plantar flexion. For
many dancers this range will be influenced by the bony structure of the arches, joint capsules, and
ligaments, as well as the constraints offered by the ankle-foot dorsiflexors. While the dancer is sitting
with the legs extended to the front and one foot pointed, the examiner places one hand on the top of
the instep of the pointed foot and gently presses down to bring the foot into further plantar flexion.
For the first test (A) the axis of the goniometer is placed just below and slightly in front of the lateral
malleolus, the stationary arm along the fibula, and the moving arm parallel to the bottom of the foot.
It is considered “0” when the foot is at a right angle to the lower leg, and the amount the foot can
point (plantar flexion) from this position is measured as positive degrees. While 50° is considered
normal range in general populations, the average value for elite female ballet dancers in one study
was found to be 97° (Clippinger-Robertson, 1991), and achieving a value of at least 90° is considered
desirable for optimal body placement for demi-pointe and pointe.
If a goniometer is not available, one can place a ruler with its upper portion in line with the middle
of the lateral portion of the tibia and middle of the medial malleolus as shown in B. Note whether the
head of the first metatarsal is above, on, or below the line made by the top of the ruler. For pointe
work, the goal is to have this landmark approximately on or below the line of the ruler.immediately following class. The sitting pointe
stretch (table 6.8F, p. 358) offers the advantage of
more easily being able to control the magnitude
and location of the stretch. Quick application of
high forces, such as associated with sticking the feet
under a couch and lying back, can create ligament
sprains and other injuries to the feet and should be
avoided. Also, if pain and limitation is felt at the back
of the ankle when the dancer is trying to perform
these stretches, he or she should use one hand to
hold the heel in place (attempting to prevent pos-
terior impingement) while placing the other hand
about halfway down the foot and applying a smaller
stretch as shown in table 6.8F. If pain is still present,
the dancer should seek a medical evaluation to rule
out medical conditions that could be aggravated by
stretching too far or hard.Great Toe Flexor Stretches
As previously described, about 90° of MTP joint
extension of the great toe is needed to allow
the dancer to go high onto demi-pointe, and to
keep the weight over the axis of the foot rather
than roll in or out in an attempt to get more range.