Ankle motion in common yoga poses.
BACKGROUND
Motion of the ankle is essential for many yoga poses. An understanding of range of ankle motion during typical yoga poses may help the clinician to understand expected outcomes of patients when returning from ankle surgery or injury to yoga.


METHODS
The biomechanics of twenty healthy active yogis were collected during seven yoga poses that are common within their practices. Motion capture and force plates were used to assess the range of motion and joint moments of the ankle for each pose.


RESULTS
All poses resulted in plantarflexion and external rotation moments at the ankle joints. Joint loading was highest in single leg poses. The arc of motion used by the study participants in the poses was 29° of sagittal motion, 20° of frontal motion and 35° of transverse motion.


DISCUSSION
Ankle motion was evaluated when healthy yogis perform standard poses. These results may help in discussion with patients regarding expected outcomes after ankle injury or surgery.
['Mears|Simon C|SC|', 'Tackett|S Andrew|SA|', 'Elkins|Michael C|MC|', 'Severin|Anna C|AC|', 'Barnes|Sally G|SG|', 'Mannen|Erin M|EM|', 'Martin|Robert D|RD|']
D000328:Adult D000843:Ankle Joint D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011187:Posture D016059:Range of Motion, Articular D012016:Reference Values D016474:Weight-Bearing D015013:Yoga D055815:Young Adult
Ankle motion Yoga Motion analysis