Which motion is most commonly responsible for lateral ankle sprains?

Lateral ankle sprains are most commonly associated with the motion of inversion combined with plantarflexion. This specific movement occurs when the foot rolls inward while the toes point downwards. During activities such as running, jumping, or quickly changing direction, the combination of these motions can lead to excessive strain on the lateral ligaments of the ankle, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament, resulting in a sprain.

Understanding this motion is crucial for injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies in sports medicine. While dorsiflexion, flexion, and extension are relevant movements for the ankle and foot, they are not typically associated with the mechanism of injury for lateral sprains as effectively as inversion and plantarflexion are. Focusing on the role of inversion and plantarflexion emphasizes the importance of proper techniques, balance, and conditioning to help avoid such injuries.