Basketball requires high physical demand, including running, directional changes, and frequent jumping. Jump performance is a key determinant of athletic success, given the sport's specific demands. The jump phases include takeoff, flight, and landing, with the ankle joint playing a crucial role in energy transfer and impact absorption.

To evaluate the correlation between ankle dorsiflexion and jump height in basketball athletes.

This cross-sectional observational study included male basketball players, excluding those with self-reported lower limb pain or injury. Ankle dorsiflexion was assessed using the Lunge Test, in which athletes performed maximal knee flexion while maintaining heel contact with the ground. An inclinometer was positioned 15 cm below the tibial tuberosity to record measurements. The test was performed three times with 30-second intervals, and the average dorsiflexion of both limbs was used for analysis. Jump performance was assessed using a bilateral countermovement jump, measured with a Baiobit® inertial sensor placed at the S1-S2 vertebral level. Three jumps were performed with 30-second intervals, and the highest recorded value was used for analysis. Data normality was verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and the correlation between variables was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.7.

The study included 51 athletes (age: 20.7 ± 0.4 years; body mass: 78.1 ± 1.94 kg; height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 23.5 ± 0.4 kg/m²; basketball experience: 5.9 ± 0.3 years). A strong, significant positive correlation was observed between dorsiflexion and jump height (r = 0.81; P < 0.001).

Ankle mobility positively influences jump height in basketball athletes.

These findings suggest that physiotherapists working with basketball players should assess ankle mobility and incorporate strategies to enhance dorsiflexion in training and injury prevention programs.