Very important but often forgotten are our ankles.
Taking care of your ankles can go a long way in reducing injuries. Ankles are responsible for plantar flexion (movement at the foot, toes point downward) and dorsiflexion (movement at the foot, toes point upwards)
Additionally, your feet and ankles come in contact with the ground first and lack of mobility in your ankles will put a greater strain on the tendons and ligaments in your lower leg which can lead to injury.
This video will demonstrate a mobility tool to help strengthen your ankles.
Having poor ankles affects different movements for instance your squat. Often individuals with tight ankles will struggle squatting below parallel. Your body may compensate by shifting your weight to your toes and sometimes raising your heels.
Additionally, poor ankle mobility can make it harder to engage your posterior chain when squatting so you will be using less of your glutes and hamstrings which will decrease the overall effectiveness of your exercise. This is one example of how tight ankles can hinder your movement.
Just as it is important to train the major muscle groups, don’t forget the smaller pieces of the puzzle. Train smart and be an all around athlete.
