Comparative Preseason Assessment of Ankle Range of Motion, Balance and Isometric Strength in Track and Field Para Athletes

Introduction : Compare the dorsiflexion range of motion, dynamic balance, and isometric strength of hip and knee extensors between limbs (dominant vs. non-dominant) and between impairment types in para athletes during the preseason. Material and Methods: A Cross-sectional study was designed. Twenty-one Para athletes from track and field modalities were evaluated. Assessments were performed during the preseason and included the lunge test, Y-Balance test, and isometric strength testing of hip and knee extensors. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess data normality. Paired t-test compared dominant and non-dominant limbs, and independent t-tests compared impairment types. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d and the U3 statistic. Results : Significant differences between impairment types were found for the lunge test (p<0,02) and Y-balance test (p<0,001), both with a small effect size and difference in non-dominant hip extensor isometric strength (p < 0.01) and asymmetry (p < 0.01), with a larger effect size. Conclusion : Differences in hip extensor strength and functional test performance across impairment groups suggest asymmetries that may have biomechanical relevance for musculoskeletal injury risk in para athletes.