Ankle Strengthening Exercises: Examples And Benefits

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about exercises to strengthen the ankles

Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS — Written by Aaron Kandola on July 23, 2020

Risks of tight or weak ankles
Exercise benefits
Exercises
Summary

Ankle strengthening exercises can help people with pain, injury, or mobility problems. People can do most of these exercises at home.

The ankle is a weight-bearing joint that consists of various bones, tendons, and ligaments. Together, these structures carry the weight of the body while allowing a person to move.

In this article, we discuss the benefits of ankle strengthening exercises and provide a list of exercises to help keep the ankles strong and healthy.

Risks of tight or weakened ankles

a close up of a woman's toes that she is flexing as part of ankle strengthening exercises — A person with pain, injury, or mobility problems may benefit from ankle strengthening exercises.

Tight or weak ankle muscles can increase the risk of injury to the bones and ligaments. They can also cause pain and problems with mobility.

Tight ankles

Tight or stiff ankles can affect a person’s mobility. Most people with stiff ankles have greater difficulty bending the foot upward than downward. People with this type of ankle stiffness may have difficulty walking uphill or keeping the feet pointing straight ahead while walking.

Ankle stiffness can occur as a result of the natural aging process. Other possible causes include:

congenital abnormalities of the ankle bone or cartilage
abnormally high or low arches, which can lead to excessive ankle wear and tear
previous ankle injury, such as an ankle sprain
inflammation of one or more ankle tendons, due to overuse, injury, or disease
a bone spur or bone fragment that blocks the movement of the ankle joint
a buildup of scar tissue blocking the movement of the ankle joint
osteoarthritis
chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus

Weak ankles

Weak ankles increase the risk of ankle injuries, such as ankle sprains. Some people are born with weak ankles, whereas others develop them as a result of a previous injury.

People who have weak ankles may find that their ankles are sore or give way while they are standing or walking.

Benefits of ankle strengthening exercises

Some potential benefits of ankle strengthening exercises include:

Preventing injuries: Strengthening the muscles around the ankles helps reduce pressure on the ankle joint, which can help prevent injuries.
Improving bone density: Strengthening exercises help increase bone density. An increased bone density reduces the risk of degenerative bone diseases, such as osteoarthritis.
Improving balance: Strong ankle muscles should improve balance. Good balance is important to many sports and exercises. It will also reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

Ankle exercises and stretches

Below is a list of exercises and stretches that may help improve the strength and mobility of the ankles. A person can perform these exercises at home without the need for specialist fitness equipment.

Towel stretch

The towel stretch will stretch the muscles in the lower legs and ankles.

To perform a towel stretch, follow these steps:

Sit with both legs straight out in front.
Wrap a towel around the top of the foot, holding the towel at either end.
Gently pull the towel so that the toes angle back toward the body.
Hold the position for 30 seconds, and then release for 30 seconds.
Repeat the stretch 3 times, and then switch to the opposite side.

Calf raise

The calf raise will also stretch the muscles in the legs and ankles.

To perform a calf raise, follow these steps:

Stand on a slightly raised platform, such as a step.
Keep the balls of the feet on the surface of the platform, letting the heels hang off the back.
Push up with the toes so that the heels raise above the surface.
Let the heels fall back down to just below the surface.
Repeat the stretch several times.

Towel curls

Towel curls also stretch the muscles in the feet and ankles.

To perform towel curls:

Sit with both feet flat on the ground.
Place a towel under one foot.
Curl the toes to grip the towel and lift it off the ground.
Hold it for a couple of seconds before releasing it.
Repeat with the opposite foot.

Ankle alphabet

The ankle alphabet will help stretch the muscles around the ankle and improve the range of motion in the ankle joint.

To perform the ankle alphabet:

Sit with one leg extended out in front.
Place a pillow under the calf so that the foot hangs over the other side.
Use the big toe to draw the letters of the alphabet in the air.
Repeat the exercise several times on each side.

Toe pull

The toe pull stretches the muscles in the legs and ankles.

To perform the toe pull:

Sit in a chair and raise one leg off the ground, keeping it straight.
Slowly point the toes back toward the body.
Hold the position for a couple of seconds.
Release the toes and gently lower the leg back to the ground.
Repeat several times with each leg.

Standing heel raise

Standing heel raises stretch the muscles in the ankles and legs.

To perform a standing heel raise:

Stand with the feet just wider than the shoulders.
Place the hands on the thighs and bend the knees slightly.
Lift one heel, keeping the toes on the ground, and then slowly lower it back down again.
Repeat this exercise several times for each heel.

Golf ball roll

The golf ball roll stretches the muscles in the feet and ankles.

To perform the golf ball roll:

Sit on a chair and place a golf ball under the foot. Any ball of a similar size will work.
Slowly roll the foot up and down over the ball for a minute.
Repeat the exercise using the other foot.

Summary

Tight or weak ankle muscles can cause pain and problems with mobility. These issues may also increase the risk of injury to the bones, tendons, and ligaments of the ankle.

Stretching and strengthening the ankle muscles helps improve ankle joint mobility and reduces the risk of injury. It may also help increase bone density, thereby reducing the risk of degenerative bone diseases.

People should aim to incorporate ankle strengthening exercises into their regular workout routine. Those with existing ankle problems can talk to a doctor or physical therapist for more tailored information and advice.

Body Aches
Osteoarthritis
Bones / Orthopedics
Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Sports Medicine / Fitness

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ankle problems. (2020). https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/self-management-advice/ankle-problems
Foot and ankle conditioning program. (2012). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/foot-and-ankle-conditioning-program
Healthy muscles matter. (2019). https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/kids/healthy-muscles
Sprained ankle. (2016). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprained-ankle/
Stay active, even with stiff ankles. (2019). https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/stay-active-even-with-stiff-ankles
The ankle joint. (n.d.). https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/joints/ankle-joint/
Weak ankles. (n.d.).https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/weak-ankles

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Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS — Written by Aaron Kandola on July 23, 2020

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Tag » How To Strengthen Your Ankles

Ankle Strengthening Exercises: Examples And Benefits

Risks of tight or weakened ankles

Tight ankles

Weak ankles

Benefits of ankle strengthening exercises

Ankle exercises and stretches

Towel stretch

Calf raise

Towel curls

Ankle alphabet

Toe pull

Standing heel raise

Golf ball roll

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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