Acute Effects of Posterior Talar Glide Mobilization

The Acute Effect of Posterior Talar Glide Mobilization on Weight Bearing Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Walking Speed : A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of posterior talar glide mobilisation on dorsiflexion range of motion wieght bearing (measured using the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test) and walking speed, using a randomised, sham-controlled study design.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Range of Motion; Mobilization; Walking Speed, Mesh id D000072797; Ankle Dorsiflexion
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Posterior Talar Glide Mobilization; Other: Sham Group

Detailed Description

Walking is a fundamental component of daily living activities and depends on adequate range of motion and coordination in the lower limb joints. The ankle joint plays a significant role in regulating stride length and walking speed by allowing the tibia to move forward, particularly during the stance phase of the gait cycle. In this process, sufficient ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is considered critical for maintaining a functional and fluid walking pattern. It has been reported that measurements taken under load (weight-bearing dorsiflexion) better reflect functional activities when assessing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) is a valid and reliable method widely preferred in clinical practice, enabling the assessment of ankle dorsiflexion range under load. It is thought that restricted dorsiflexion range under load may lead to compensatory mechanisms such as early heel lift, reduced step length and decreased walking speed during walking. However, it appears that the relationship between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion under load and walking speed in healthy individuals has not been sufficiently clarified. From the perspective of talocrural joint mechanics, the talus bone must perform a posterior glide movement during dorsiflexion. Restriction in this posterior glide movement is considered one of the mechanical factors limiting dorsiflexion range. Posterior talar glide mobilisations are among the non-invasive manual therapy approaches frequently used in clinical practice, aimed at improving talocrural joint mechanics and increasing dorsiflexion range. Whilst studies examining the acute effects of these mobilisations on dorsiflexion range of motion exist in the literature, findings regarding whether this mechanical change is reflected in walking speed-a functional outcome-are limited. Therefore, establishing the relationship between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion under load and walking speed, and evaluating the acute effects of posterior talar glide mobilisation on these mechanical parameters using a sham-controlled design, is of importance from both clinical and biomechanical perspectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of posterior talar glide mobilisation on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion weight bearing (measured using the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test) and walking speed, using a randomised, sham-controlled study design.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Tuğba GÖNEN, Asisst. Prof. Dr.; Phone Number: 505 090 58 46; Email: tugba.badat@hku.edu.tr

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Şahinbey
    • Gaziantep, Şahinbey, Turkey (Türkiye), 27000
      • Hasan Kalyoncu University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants aged between 18 and 45,
• Participants who have agreed to take part in the study on a voluntary basis,
• Participants with no history of lower limb surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those with acute ankle pain or inflammation,
• Those with ankle instability,
• Those with a history of lower limb surgery within the last 6 months,
• Those with balance or vestibular disorders,
• Those with chronic conditions,

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mobilization Group; Movement Combined with Weight-Shifting Mobilisation: A non-elastic band is secured between the patient's distal leg and the therapist's waist. Mobilisation begins with the patient standing in a comfortable upright position. The therapist applies a continuous posteroanterior gliding force to the tibia via the band by shifting their weight backwards. This technique functionally mimics the posterior glide mechanism of the talus. The participant is asked to perform a slow dorsiflexion to the end of the range of motion. During this, the therapist maintains the posterior glide stimulus on the talus. Once the end point is reached, the glide force is maintained for 10 seconds. One set of 10 repetitions of mobilisation is performed. - Movement Combined with Mobilisation Without Weight-bearing The ankle is stabilised using a non-elastic band, and the therapist applies a posterior glide to the talus. During the posterior glide, the foot is supported by the forearm or leg.	Other: Posterior Talar Glide Mobilization; Movement Combined with Weight-Shifting Mobilisation The therapist applies a continuous posteroanterior gliding force to the tibia via the strap by shifting their weight backwards. This technique functionally mimics the posterior gliding mechanism of the talus. The patient is asked to perform a slow dorsiflexion to the end of their range of motion. During this, the therapist maintains the posterior gliding force on the talus. Once the end point is reached, the gliding force is maintained for 10 seconds. One set of 10 repetitions of mobilisation is performed. - Movement Combined with Mobilisation Without Weight Shifting The participant lies supine with the tibia in contact with the treatment table, whilst the foot and ankle are left free at the edge of the table. The ankle is stabilised with a non-elastic band, and the therapist applies posterior glide to the talus.
Sham Comparator: Sham Group; Both mobilisation techniques and positions were explained to the participants; however, although the therapist positioned the ankle in the glide position, no sliding movement was performed, and the ankle was held in that position for 10 seconds. Posterior talar glide mobilisation and dorsiflexion measurements were performed on both the affected and unaffected ankles. All measurements will be repeated three times-once before and three times after treatment-and the average values will be recorded.	Other: Sham Group; Both mobilisation techniques and positions were explained to the participants; however, although the therapist assumed the glide position, no sliding movement was performed, and the participants were held in that position for 10 seconds. Posterior talar glide mobilisation and dorsiflexion measurements were performed on both the affected and unaffected ankles. All measurements will be repeated three times each-before and after treatment-and the average values will be recorded.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Weight Bearing Lunge Testi	The WBLT is a valid and reliable clinical measurement method widely used to identify dorsiflexion restrictions, particularly in individuals with chronic ankle instability, and to monitor changes occurring during the rehabilitation process. Its concurrent validity has been demonstrated in the literature using both angular and distance-based measurement methods. During measurement, the maximum lunge distance between the big toe and the wall will be recorded in centimetres using a standard tape measure fixed to the floor. Participants will undergo bilateral assessment during the test. Participants will be asked to touch the wall with their knees without lifting their heels off the ground. A vertical reference line on the floor will be used to minimise subtalar joint compensation and ensure measurement standardisation. The contralateral limb will be positioned comfortably behind the tested limb, and participants will be permitted to place their hands on the wall for balance.	through of the study, average 1 day
10-meter walk test	The test is a valid and reliable assessment method widely used in clinical and research settings to measure an individual's walking speed over a short distance. The test will be conducted on a flat, non-slip surface. The total walking distance will be set at 14 metres; the first 2 metres will be designated as an acceleration zone, the final 2 metres as a deceleration zone, and the middle 10-metre section as the measurement zone. Participants will be asked to walk the specified distance at a natural walking speed that feels comfortable to them. The measurement will be taken by recording the time elapsed from the moment the participant enters the central 10-metre section until the moment they exit it, using a stopwatch to record the time in seconds. The test will be repeated three times, and the average of the measurements will be used in the analysis.	through of the study, average 1 day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hasan Kalyoncu University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Tuğba GÖNEN, Asisst. Prof. Dr., Hasan Kalyoncu University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bennell KL, Talbot RC, Wajswelner H, Techovanich W, Kelly DH, Hall AJ. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion. Aust J Physiother. 1998;44(3):175-180. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60377-9.
• Chisholm MD, Birmingham TB, Brown J, Macdermid J, Chesworth BM. Reliability and validity of a weight-bearing measure of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Physiother Can. 2012 Fall;64(4):347-55. doi: 10.3138/ptc.2011-41.
• Hall EA, Docherty CL. Validity of clinical outcome measures to evaluate ankle range of motion during the weight-bearing lunge test. J Sci Med Sport. 2017 Jul;20(7):618-621. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.11.001. Epub 2016 Nov 23.
• Saito Y, Nakamura S, Tanaka A, Watanabe R, Narimatsu H, Chung UI. Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the 10-meter walk test using a smartphone application among Japanese older adults. Front Sports Act Living. 2022 Oct 4;4:904924. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.904924. eCollection 2022.
• Vicenzino B, Branjerdporn M, Teys P, Jordan K. Initial changes in posterior talar glide and dorsiflexion of the ankle after mobilization with movement in individuals with recurrent ankle sprain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006 Jul;36(7):464-71. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2006.2265.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 19, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 19, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: range of motion; walking speed; ankle mobility; talar mobilization
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2026/044

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No