Avaliação da correlação entre a amplitude de dorsiflexão do tornozelo e o desempenho no single leg heel raise test em bailarinas

Abstract

Dance practice places high functional demands on the ankle-foot complex, requiring the integration of different musculoskeletal components, including joint mobility and muscular endurance. Although ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and plantar flexor performance are commonly assessed using the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) and the Single Leg Heel Raise Test (SLHRT), respectively, it remains unclear whether these variables are associated in female dancers. This observational, cross-sectional, correlational study aimed to analyze the correlation between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and SLHRT performance in female dancers. Seventy-seven female dancers aged 14 to 44 years participated in the study. Ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using the WBLT, and plantar flexor endurance was evaluated using the SLHRT. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and Pearson's correlation coefficient, adopting a significance level of 5%. Mean ankle dorsiflexion was 43.7 ± 5.0°, whereas mean SLHRT performance was 21.4 ± 6.0 repetitions. No statistically significant correlation was found between the variables (r = 0.10; p = 0.60). In the evaluated sample, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was not associated with SLHRT performance, suggesting that these variables represent distinct aspects of ankle-foot complex function in female dancers.