Has any adult-onset swimmer succeeded in increasing ankle flexibility?
Former Member
My ankle inflexibility seems to be a huge drag to my freestyle and backstroke. In my attempts to increase ankle flexibility, I have employed a couple of methods suggested elsewhere in this forum - (1) assuming the "child's tv-watching" position, with my lower legs folded beneath my buttocks and (2) using fins.
However, after three months, I don't seem to have gained any more flexibility in the ankle joints. Have other adult-onset swimmers been able to gain ankle flexibility through these methods or otherwise?
Parents
Former Member
New Daddy, I'm one to easily turn an ankle almost every time I play basketball. Inevitably, I end up taking a step on either ankle at some point, but usually I can press onward as if nothing happened. About 6mo ago, had a particularly painful one, and since have been stretching my ankles out in the morning by lying on my back, pulling my leg to my chest, and making circles - 20 wax on, 20 wax off; repeat other leg. I think it has helped some.
Blackbeard, thanks for the reply. But I tend to think that turning an ankle when playing basketball is not caused by ankle inflexibility but, rather, by ankle instability. As I understand, ankle flexibility and ankle stability are somewhat at odds with each other.
New Daddy, I'm one to easily turn an ankle almost every time I play basketball. Inevitably, I end up taking a step on either ankle at some point, but usually I can press onward as if nothing happened. About 6mo ago, had a particularly painful one, and since have been stretching my ankles out in the morning by lying on my back, pulling my leg to my chest, and making circles - 20 wax on, 20 wax off; repeat other leg. I think it has helped some.
Blackbeard, thanks for the reply. But I tend to think that turning an ankle when playing basketball is not caused by ankle inflexibility but, rather, by ankle instability. As I understand, ankle flexibility and ankle stability are somewhat at odds with each other.
