Ankle Mobility Profile of Volleyball Players: Does Playing Position Matter?

Keywords:
Biomechanics, Asymmetry, Range of Motion, Injury Prevention, Female Athletes

Abstract:
This study establishes reference values for ankle joint mobility and lower extremity asymmetry in elite female volleyball players (N=146), analyzing the specific impact of playing position. Dorsiflexion range of motion was measured bilaterally using a digital goniometer. A one-way ANOVA revealed that playing position had no statistically significant effect on ankle mobility (F[4,141]=0.174, p=0.952). However, the results indicated significant lateral dominance, with greater mobility in the right ankle compared to the left (t=5.180, p<0.001, d=0.429). Mean asymmetry ranged from 9.6% in setters to 11.9% in liberos. It is concluded that the observed asymmetry (up to 12%) represents a sport-specific functional adaptation rather than a pathological deficit. Training protocols should utilize these population-specific norms, focusing on safe force absorption during landing rather than strictly insisting on perfect bilateral symmetry.

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V. Banković, D. V. Čabarkapa, N. Majstorović, “Ankle Mobility Profile of Volleyball Players: Does Playing Position Matter?,” in Sinteza 2026 - International Scientific Conference on Information Technology, Computer Science, and Data Science, Belgrade, Singidunum University, Serbia, 2026, pp. 520-526. doi:10.15308/Sinteza-2026-520-526

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Banković, V., V. Čabarkapa, D., Majstorović, N. (2026). Ankle Mobility Profile of Volleyball Players: Does Playing Position Matter?. Paper presented at Sinteza 2026 - International Scientific Conference on Information Technology, Computer Science, and Data Science. doi:10.15308/Sinteza-2026-520-526

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