Dorsiflexion
Definition
The movement of the foot toward the shin, decreasing the angle at the ankle joint. Measured in degrees from a neutral 90-degree position. Normal dorsiflexion range is approximately 10-20 degrees with the knee extended and 15-25 degrees with the knee flexed. The difference between these two values reflects gastrocnemius versus soleus contribution.
Clinical Significance
Ankle dorsiflexion is one of the most consequential ROM measurements in functional assessment. Insufficient dorsiflexion forces compensations at every joint above: the foot overpronates, the knee shifts into valgus, the hip loses flexion depth, and the lumbar spine flexes early in squatting patterns. Many squat and deadlift limitations that appear to be hip problems are actually driven by ankle dorsiflexion deficits.
How AKMI Assesses This
AKMI measures ankle dorsiflexion bilaterally using the weight-bearing lunge test (knee-to-wall distance and angle). Both knee-extended and knee-flexed positions are tested to differentiate gastrocnemius from soleus restriction. Bilateral comparison identifies asymmetry that may drive compensatory patterns.
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