Range of Motion: Ankle Dorsiflexion

The Ankle Dorsiflexion Test measures how far the ankle moves as the foot comes upward toward the shin. It can be measured actively, passively or in a weight-bearing position. The result helps compare ankle movement between sides, monitor change and add context to squatting, running, landing, balance and lower-limb strength assessments.

Introduction

A client may struggle to squat without lifting the heels, feel restricted during running or show one ankle moving differently during a lunge. Measuring ankle dorsiflexion ROM helps turn that observation into a trackable number.

Dorsiflexion can be measured in different ways, including non-weight-bearing goniometry and weight-bearing lunge-style testing. The chosen method should match the reason for testing and should be repeated consistently.

Quick Summary

Test name: Ankle Dorsiflexion Test
Purpose: Measure ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Movement: Foot moving upward toward the shin
Joint/body region: Ankle
Plane: Sagittal plane
ROM type: Active, passive or weight-bearing
Score: Degrees or distance depending on method
Equipment: Goniometer, inclinometer, tape measure or Measurz ROM workflow
Best used with: Weight-bearing lunge, squat, calf strength, balance, gait, running and hopping tests
Key limitation: Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing methods are not interchangeable

What Is the Ankle Dorsiflexion Test?

The Ankle Dorsiflexion Test measures the available motion as the foot moves upward toward the shin. This movement is important for walking, running, squatting, landing, stair tasks and many change-of-direction movements.

It can be measured actively, passively or in a weight-bearing position. Each method provides slightly different information.

Why It Is Used

The test is used to quantify ankle movement, compare sides and monitor change over time.

It can help inform:

Squat and lunge programming
Running and gait assessment
Landing and hopping assessment
Ankle mobility programming
Calf and foot strength planning
Progress tracking across sessions

What It Measures

The test measures dorsiflexion ROM in degrees or distance.

It may be influenced by joint position, calf flexibility, ankle structure, pain, symptoms, previous loading, warm-up, foot position, knee position and measurement method.

Reduced dorsiflexion provides useful movement information but does not explain the cause on its own.

Active vs Passive Range of Motion

Active dorsiflexion measures how far the client can lift the foot using their own control.

Passive dorsiflexion measures how far the ankle can be moved by the professional.

Weight-bearing dorsiflexion measures how far the knee can travel forward over the foot while the heel stays down. This can be useful because it resembles many functional tasks.

Who It Is Useful For

This test may be useful for runners, field sport athletes, gym clients, dancers, older adults, clients with squat or lunge limitations and anyone tracking ankle movement over time.

Equipment Required

Goniometer or inclinometer
Tape measure if using knee-to-wall distance
Treatment table, chair or wall
Pain scale
Measurz for ROM recording
Optional foot alignment marker

Step-by-Step Protocol or How to Apply This in Practice

Starting position

Choose non-weight-bearing or weight-bearing testing and record the method.

Client position

For non-weight-bearing testing, position the client sitting or lying with the ankle free to move.

For weight-bearing testing, position the client in a lunge stance facing a wall or using a standard weight-bearing setup.

Professional position

Stand beside the ankle to observe heel lift, foot position and compensation.

Body/joint setup

Keep the foot aligned and avoid excessive pronation, toe-out or heel lift unless those are part of the chosen protocol.

Stabilisation

For non-weight-bearing testing, stabilise the lower leg. For weight-bearing testing, maintain heel contact and consistent foot placement.

Movement instruction

For active ROM, ask the client to pull the foot upward.

For passive ROM, move the ankle gently into dorsiflexion.

For weight-bearing ROM, ask the client to move the knee forward over the foot while keeping the heel down.

Measurement landmarks

For goniometry, commonly align the axis near the lateral malleolus, stationary arm with the fibula and moving arm with the fifth metatarsal.

For inclinometry, place the inclinometer consistently on the tibia or foot depending on the method.

What to ask

Ask about pain, stretch, stiffness, pinching, symptom location and whether symptoms are familiar.

Stopping rules

Stop if heel lift occurs when heel contact is required, pain increases, compensation dominates or the client cannot control the movement.

What to record

Record side, degrees or distance, active/passive/weight-bearing method, knee position, pain, symptoms, device and compensation.

Number of trials

Use one to three trials and record the chosen scoring method.

Retest consistency

Use the same foot position, knee angle, device placement and warm-up each time.

Scoring and Interpretation

Scores may be recorded in degrees or distance, depending on the method.

A lower dorsiflexion value may show reduced ankle movement compared with the other side or previous baseline. A higher value indicates more available dorsiflexion under the tested setup.

Interpretation is stronger when paired with squat, lunge, calf strength, balance, running, hopping and pain findings.

Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing values should not be treated as the same measurement.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Evidence level: Level 2–3 — common reference values exist, but exact protocol-specific norms vary.

Common teaching references often list ankle dorsiflexion around 20 degrees in non-weight-bearing testing, but this varies widely. Weight-bearing lunge values are method-specific and should be compared using the same protocol.

Practical benchmarks:

Side-to-side comparison
Baseline versus retest
Active versus passive comparison
Weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing notes
Pain and symptom response
Related squat or lunge performance

Reliability and Validity

A 2021 PeerJ study found smartphone-based weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion measurement had good reliability when testing was standardised, supporting the use of consistent weight-bearing dorsiflexion protocols for progress tracking.  

A 2022 study found smartphone measurement methods can show reliability and validity for selected lower-limb ROM measures, including ankle dorsiflexion, when compared with conventional methods.  

Small changes should be interpreted carefully unless the same method is repeated and changes align with symptoms or function.

Common Errors and Testing Limitations

Common errors include heel lift, toe-out compensation, inconsistent knee angle, changing weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing methods, poor landmarking, inconsistent inclinometer placement and ignoring pain.

Limitations include method variability, warm-up effects, foot posture, symptoms, device differences and inconsistent endpoint definition.

Practical Applications

Use ankle dorsiflexion ROM to guide squat, lunge, running, landing, balance and ankle mobility programming. It can help monitor progress and identify whether related strength or functional tests would add useful context.

How to Record This in Measurz

In Measurz, record baseline dorsiflexion in degrees using the inclinometer where possible. Note whether it is active, passive or weight-bearing. Record side tested, pain score, symptom location, device used, test position, movement direction, compensation notes and comparison with the other side.

Track progress across sessions and add related calf strength, balance, squat, running or functional findings.

Related Tests or Internal Linking Suggestions

Weight-Bearing Lunge Test
Ankle Plantarflexion Test
Calf Raise Endurance Test
Single-Leg Calf Raise Test
Squat Assessment
Step-Down Test
Y-Balance Test

FAQs

What is normal ankle dorsiflexion ROM?

Common references often describe around 20 degrees, but values vary by method, position, age, sport, symptoms and device.

How do you measure ankle dorsiflexion?

Use a goniometer, inclinometer or weight-bearing lunge method, keeping foot position and heel contact consistent.

Is weight-bearing dorsiflexion better?

It depends on the purpose. Weight-bearing testing is often useful for squatting and functional tasks, while non-weight-bearing testing isolates the movement differently.

What does reduced dorsiflexion mean?

It means less movement under that protocol. It does not explain the cause by itself.

How should dorsiflexion be tracked?

Use the same method, position, device and endpoint each session.

Key Takeaways

Ankle dorsiflexion can be measured actively, passively or weight-bearing.
Method choice must be recorded.
Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing values are not interchangeable.
Side-to-side and baseline comparisons are often most useful.
Measurz should capture degrees, method, pain, symptoms and progress.

References

Clarkson, H. M. (2020). Musculoskeletal assessment: Joint range of motion, muscle testing, and function (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Miyachi, Y., et al. (2022). Reliability and validity of lower limb joint range of motion measurements using a smartphone. Nagoya Journal of Medical Science, 84(1), 7–18.

Norkin, C. C., & White, D. J. (2016). Measurement of joint motion: A guide to goniometry (5th ed.). F. A. Davis.

Zunko, H., & Vauhnik, R. (2021). Reliability of the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measurement using a smartphone goniometer application. PeerJ, 9, e11977.