Changes in ankle function of university female volleyball players during the menstrual cycle: Muscle strength, joint position sense and flexibility

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion muscle strength, joint position sensation, and joint flexibility during the menstrual cycle. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 6 students in a university female volleyball team who had no menstrual cycle disorders, no history of surgery to the right lower thigh, and no history of varus/valgus sprains of the ankle in the previous 3 months. Ankle joint plantarflexion/dorsiflexion muscle strength was measured at constant angular velocities of 30 and 120 degrees/s to calculate the body weight ratio of ankle joint plantarflexion/dorsiflexion muscle strength. Ankle joint position sense was measured at set angles of 15° plantarflexion, and 0° and 15° dorsiflexion, and the angle of error was calculated. For ankle joint flexibility, the passive torques of the ankle joint at 20° and maximum dorsiflexion were measured. [Results] No significant differences in ankle muscle strength, joint position sense or joint flexibility were seen between menstrual cycle phases. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that the menstrual cycle does not affect ankle function.