Ankle Power Asymmetry Between the Dominant and Non-Dominant Limbs in Healthy Adults

Background: Ankle power is a critical component of lower limb biomechanics, influencing movement efficiency, athletic performance, and injury risk. Limb dominance may contribute to asymmetry in ankle power, potentially affecting functional outcomes and injury susceptibility.

Objective: To quantify ankle power asymmetry between dominant and non-dominant limbs in healthy adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 70 healthy adults aged 18–30 years recruited from an orthopaedic outpatient department. Ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion power were measured bilaterally using a portable push–pull dynamometer and recorded in Newtons (N). Dominant and non-dominant limb values were compared using a paired t-test with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Mean plantarflexion power was significantly higher in the dominant limb compared to the non-dominant limb (62.69 ± 11.99 N vs 61.56 ± 11.90 N; t = 3.21, p = 0.002). Dominant limb dorsiflexion power was also significantly greater (48.01 ± 10.29 N vs 47.23 ± 10.08 N; t = 2.33, p = 0.023).

Conclusion: Healthy adults exhibit a statistically significant ankle power asymmetry favoring the dominant limb for both plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Quantifying ankle power asymmetry may aid in injury prevention, rehabilitation planning, and performance optimization.