Range of motion and ankle injury history association with sex in pediatric and adolescent athletes.

BACKGROUND

Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries among young athletes, and there remains a gap in the literature regarding susceptibility to such injuries among physically active youth.

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the associations between sex, a history of ankle sprain, and ankle range of motion (ROM) in pediatric and adolescent athletes.

METHODS

Athletes under the age of 18 years old who presented to a sports injury prevention center underwent ankle ROM measurements including plantarflexion (PF), inversion (IV), and eversion (EV). A two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to examine effect of sex and a history of ankle sprain on ROMs. Also, a binary logistic regression was performed to investigate variables that are associated with a history of ankle injury.

RESULTS

Among 452 pediatric and adolescent athletes [268 females (13.6 ± 2.3 years old) and 184 males (13.3 ± 2.5 years old)], 128 reported a history of previous ankle sprain. Females demonstrated significantly increased ROMs (PF and IV bilaterally, and right EV) compared to males while there was no effect of a history of ankle sprain on ROMs. Female sex was independently associated with a history of ankle sprain.

CONCLUSION

There was a strong effect of female sex on ROMs rather than a history of ankle injury history. Additionally, pediatric and adolescent females have greater odds of a history of ankle sprain when compared to their male counterparts.