Probably it is not a surprise for anyone who is active in basketball and other fields where jumping is important that the most common injuries are strains, sprains or in worst cases even ruptures of the ankle. Therefore anyone involved in plyometrics and developing vertical jump should certainly read this article. But now let’s take a closer look on what the ankle is and what are its functions.
A very simplified description is that the ankle joint does not only ensure the movement of the foot, but the whole lower limb. The bones of the shin and foot are held together by several ligaments, which ensure movement for the foot. Several muscles and ligaments on both the inner and outer side of the foot and leg are necessary for ensuring normal functioning of the ankle. In case of basketball injuries, mainly the ligaments on the outer side of the foot are injured. As a rule this injury takes place when landing from a jump – either on someone else’s leg or just in a bad position. As a result the ligaments are strained, ruptured partly or fully.
Ligament injuries are classified into three categories, the first of which is the lightest, meaning generally a light strain, as a result of which the ankle becomes sore and swollen. The third or the severest injury is a rupture, in case of which the athlete is no longer able to move the foot or stand on it. As any other tissue, ligaments are also capable of recovering and achieving their former strength, but the former flexibility and elasticity might not be restored. As feet get the highest load and are strained the most in both, jumping off and landing, your vertical jump might be severely restricted in the future. Also your knee joints might be more strained due to that.
Although it is impossible to absolutely prevent such severe injuries, a person can still do a lot for it when he/she does stretches before and after the trainings correctly and regularly.
