A physical therapist says that poor ankle mobility is a primary driver of falls and balance issues later in life—here’s how to improve it
Ankle mobility might feel like a small thing to worry about, but it can make a significant difference to your life. “Poor ankle mobility is a primary driver of falls and balance issues later in life,” says Dr Jamie Bovay, founder of and lead physical therapist at KinetikChain Denver. I asked him why ankles are a weak point for so many people. You may like “Ankles usually become immobile due to a combination of position and a lack of use throughout the full range of motion,” he says. “Most of us spend our lives in shoes with slightly elevated heels, which keep the Achilles and calf muscles in a shortened state.” Over time, this shortened state leads to a limited range of motion in the ankle joint, causing it to stiffen and restrict movement even further. “Once it is stiff, not only can we not use our previous range of motion but the nervous system also ‘forgets’ how to access control of deep dorsiflexion (ankle bending),” he says. Start your week with achievable workout ideas, …
