Ankle Mobility Question

[md7aero]

Hello - I'm new to these forums, and after lurking for a month or so, wanted to post a question on ankle mobility. I'm a 31 yr old engineer living in South Bend, IN (go irish!).

How much dorsiflexion range of motion is considered "good" or "enough"? I've been doing the ankle mobility drill where you stand with your toes a few inches from the wall and shoot your knee out over your toes, keeping your heel down. Over a few months I've improved to where I can touch my knee to the wall (keeping the heel down), with my big toe 3" off the wall.

Is this an acceptable amount of dorsiflexion mobility? What would be considered too little or too much?

Thanks,

Mike

[UConnJulie]

12-15 degrees is functional for most activities (ie descending stairs, squatting, etc).

[md7aero]

Sweet... a trig problem. Which angle are we talking about? The angle the shin makes with vertical?

[Cynic]

Yes, because 12-15 degrees with the horizontal would break most peoples bones, assuming you keep the foot flat.

Keep working that tennis ball. Grind your calves and mash your soles. Also work your hams and quads. In fact, do your whole lower body. It helps bigtime.