Biking is a physical activity that works the joints of the ankles not only while pedaling, but also when mounting and dismounting from the bike. Stiffness in the ankles after riding a bike might result from existing joint problems or from injuries...
There is a 40 to 70 percent chance of re-injurying a sprained ankle. An ankle sprain occurs happen a tendon or ligaments gets torn or stretched too far, usually from rolling the foot inwards. There are three levels of severity of an ankle sprain...
Ankle stiffness describes your inability to move the joint in its normal range of motion, including flexing and extending your foot and moving it side to side. The consequences of ankle stiffness include low-back pain and knee, strength and...
Joint stiffness is a common symptom of inflammation and therefore a symptom of chronic or over-use injuries such as Achilles tendonitis and patellar bursitis. Arthritis of your ankle and knee and tight muscles can also cause joint stiffness during...
Your feet and ankles are subject to significant impact if you are an avid runner, and they are among runners' most frequently injured body parts. Ankle stiffness is a common side effect that can affect your range of motion, making your ankle feel...
Knee pain from a noncontact injury is usually caused by stiff ankle or stiff hips, according to physical therapist Gray Cook, author of "Movement." If your ankles are stiff and are not able to move in all of their full range of motion, then your...
Running involves leg extension and carefully choreographed motion, but the movement of muscles occurring inside of the leg is actually galvanized by the contraction of small fibers. The contraction of calf muscles is one of the largest...
Skating ability is essential to having prowess at hockey, and your stride is what determines the kind of skater you are. The proper skating stride enables you to use your body efficiently so you can pull away from your opponents when you need to....
To perform a stellar swimming stroke, you need to be able to point your toes and flex the ankle to a 90-degree angle. Stiff ankles force the calf muscles to flex the feet, wasting precious blood and energy. The Rack is an ankle-stretching device...
Nestled between a tendon and a bone sits a small, fluid-filled sac called the bursa. The bursa not only absorbs shock, but also cushions and protects the bone and tendon from rubbing against one another. The condition “bursitis” occurs...
You use your ankles to run, walk, dance and kick, so it's no surprise that ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries. In addition to being at increased risk for injury when you are performing exercises that require you to change your body...
Amputees with prosthetics found a welcome home in the world of rowing late in the 20th century. The first international rowing regatta for the disabled, also known as adaptive racing, was held in Sydney, Australia, in 1988. A number of...
Figure skating is an Olympic sport that combines athleticism and artistry. Highly choreographed programs set to music and colorful custom costumes increase the level of drama. Singles skaters perform jumps and spins in a short and long program....
Soccer skills and techniques separate the best from the rest. The smallest 5-year-old soccer player typically starts out without a lot of skill, let alone technique, which is the ability to carry out a skill well or in different ways. Years of...
Knee range of motion can become impaired following surgery or injury. Passive range of motion exercises can be done with or without the use of a machine. The last few degrees of flexibility are the most difficult to regain and may require more...
The squat and lunge patterns both work all of your lower body muscles and joints, while your spine and deep abdominal muscles stabilize your torso to maintain your balance and alignment. These are two of the basic movement patterns that are...
If you have injured your ankle, resulting in a severe sprain or fracture, you may need to wear a cast to keep it immobilized while it heals. Stanford School of Medicine explains that a cast is made of either plaster or fiberglass, which...
Great forwards who make crafty moves to the goal get much of the attention in soccer. Still, there is plenty of room for midfielders with power and accuracy to crank shots from what the NBA calls "downtown," or in soccer terms, well outside the...
Aside from external factors, such as a blow to the knee or a fall onto the knee, there are many internal causes of knee pain, such as ligament and tendon strain or inflammation of the joint. Although the pain exhibits in your knee, the source of...
Agonizing ski boot related ankle pain can interfere with your enjoyment of the sport. Determining the cause of your discomfort may be a complicated process. Contributing factors may include boot choice, boot fit, foot or ankle irregularities or a...
Your hamstrings are one of the areas in your body that is prone to injury due to weakness in your hips or stiff ankles, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Strengthening both your hips and hamstrings can help prevent hamstring...
After demanding exercise, your body may feel tired and even a little sore. Though mild muscles aches are normal, swelling of the joints after exercise may indicate an injury. It could also mean a flare-up of an existing condition or previous...
Your hockey skates do more than just allow you to glide across the ice. The high stops and stiff sides of the skate provide foot and ankle support for pivoting and lateral movements necessary when skating aggressively and competitively. Snug...
Basketball players constantly perform several explosive jumps and movements to block shots and make shots from inside the paint and from beyond the arc. These plyometric actions focus on the strength and power of your arms and legs, and performing...
If you suffer from arthritis and the condition causes stiffness in your ankle joints, you may experience significant discomfort and have trouble walking. To help relieve your symptoms and increase joint range of motion, develop a thorough but...
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a inflammatory disease in which your body attacks itself around the joints. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, explains that close to 90 percent of people who have RA experience stiffness,...
Ankle swelling is a common presenting symptom, especially in active toddlers who are learning to walk and in adolescents involved in sports. In children, the swelling is often noticed after the child starts limping or complaining of general...
A broken ankle can be a painful injury that can take weeks or even a month or so to rehabilitate. This injury often results in pain and stiffness in your ankle, even after the injury has begun to heal. You should always check with your doctor to...
Balance results from the coordinated efforts of your vestibular, nervous system and muscular systems. Deterioration of any of these systems causes poor balance. Balance retraining exercises can help improve balance for people with poor balance....
Comfortable and supportive hiking shoes are essential for day hikes. Learn how to pick hiking shoes in this free hiking video.
Injuries are common in any sport. Here are a few tips for preventing upper body skiing and snowboarding injuries in this video.
