Effects of hip and head position on ankle range of motion, ankle passive torque, and passive gastrocnemius tension

Ankle joint range of motion (ROM) is notably influenced by the position of the hip joint. However, this result remains unexplained. Thus, the aim of this study was to test if the ankle passive torque and gastrocnemius muscle tension are affected by the hip and the head positions. The torque and the muscle shear elastic modulus (measured by elastography to estimate muscle tension) were collected in nine participants during passive ankle dorsiflexions performed in four conditions (by combining hip flexion at 90 or 150 degrees, and head flexed or neutral). Ankle maximum dorsiflexion angle significantly decreased by flexing the hip from 150 to 90 degrees (P<0.001; mean difference 17.7 +/- 2.5 degrees), but no effect of the head position was observed (P>0.05). Maximal passive torque and shear elastic modulus were higher with the hip flexed at 90 degrees (P<0.001). During submaximal ROM, no effects of the head and hip positioning (P>0.05) were found for both torque and shear elastic modulus at a given common ankle angle among conditions. Shifts in maximal ankle angle due to hip angle manipulation are not related neither to changes in passive torque nor tension of the gastrocnemius. Further studies should be addressed to better understand the functional role of peripheral nerves and fasciae in the ankle ROM limits.