Context: Posterior calf stretching is believed to improve active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (AADFROM) after acute ankle-inversion sprain.
Objective: To describe AADFROM at baseline (postinjury) and at 2-wk time periods for 6 wk after acute inversion sprain.
Design: Randomized trial.
Setting: Sports clinic.
Participants: 11 men and 11 women (age range 11-54 y) with acute inversion sprain.
Intervention: Standardized home exercise program for acute inversion sprain.
Main outcome measure: AADFROM with the knee extended.
Results: Time main effect on AADFROM was significant (F3,57 = 108, P < .001). At baseline, mean active sagittal-plane motion of the ankle was 6 degrees of plantar flexion, whereas at 2, 4, and 6 wk AADFROM was 7 degrees, 11 degrees, and 11 degrees, respectively.
Conclusions: AADFROM increased significantly from baseline to week 2 and from week 2 to week 4. Normal AADFROM was restored within 4 wk after acute inversion sprain.