Background: Measurement of passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADROM) is often part of a physical therapy assessment. Objects: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of subtalar joint neutral position (SJNP) on passive ADROM according to knee position in young adults. Methods: We recruited 14 young adult participants for this study. Two examiners used a universal goniometer to measure passive ADROM with and without SJNP. Dorsiflexion force was applied to the forefoot until maximum resistance was reached in two knee positions (extension and 90˚ flexion) in the prone position. Subtalar joint position was also recorded at maximum ADROM. Passive ADROM was measured three times at different knee and subtalar joint positions, in random order. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the effects of subtalar joint and knee position on passive ADROM. Results: Passive ADROM was significantly lower with than without SJNP during both knee extension (mean difference: 7.4˚) and 90˚ flexion (mean difference: 16.9˚) (p<.01). Passive ADROM was significantly higher during 90˚ knee flexion than during knee extension both with (mean difference: 5.8˚) and without SJNP (mean difference: 15.2˚) (p<.01). The valgus position of the subtalar joint was significantly lower with than without SJNP during both knee extension (mean difference: 3.3˚) and 90˚ flexion (mean difference: 4.3˚) (p<.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the gastrocnemius may limit ankle dorsiflexion more than the soleus does. Greater dorsiflexion at the subtalar and midtarsal joints was observed during passive ADROM measurement without than that with SJNP; therefore, SJNP should be maintained for accurate measurement of ADROM.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of mobilization of C0-C1 and C7-T1 applied to asymptomatic individuals with reduced upper cervical rotation during the FRT. Design: parallel randomized controlled trial. 48 subjects(38.52 years±15.13) with C1-C2 rotation hypomobility in TFR joined the study and were randomized into three groups(C0, C7, control group). FRT in both directions was measured before and after the intervention. C0 intervention consisted of a dorsal translatoric mobilization of C0-C1 in the cervical neutral position. C7 intervention consisted of a ventral cranial translatoric mobilization of C7- T1 in neutral position and the control group maintained a supine position. C0 group experienced a FRT ROM to the restricted side increase of 17.64。(SD=4.55), that was significantly greater (P<0.001) than 5.95。 (SD=4.81) of the C7 group and 2.45。(SD=5.05) of the control group. The results showed that a dorsal translatoric mobilization of C0-C1 in neutral position restored the physiological FRT mobility in subjects with C1-C2 hypomobility and experienced statistical significant improvement in FRT as compared to a C7-T1 translatoric mobilization and a control group. (Level of evidence: 1b).