Summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there are any differences in the range of motion of the ankle joint for distinct ethnicities measured by goniometry. A total of 288 ankles of 152 individuals were evaluated and divided into four ethnic groups: 18 male and 20 female Caucasians (75 ankles), 11 male and 26 female Oriental individuals (72 ankles), 25 male and 16 female Black people (70 ankles) and 19 male and 17 female Mulattos (71 ankles). All of the participants were of similar ages and were examined in a single evaluation in the morning by the same examiner using the same goniometric device. Statistical analysis was achieved using means and standard deviation and a comparison of the scores, z-statistics of the normal distribution were calculated with an alpha error of 5% considered acceptable. The total mean obtained from all ethnical groups, considering both left and right legs and both genders, was 60.45º. The averages of the distinct ethnicities were: 63.84º for Caucasians, 66.91º for Orientals, 55.21º for Black people and 55.87º for Mulattos. All groups were significantly different in relation to ankle motion range compared to the other groups, except between Black people and Mulattos. There were statistically significant differences when separately analyzing the means of goniometric measures of the right and left ankles in men and women of the Caucasian and Oriental ethnic groups. Conclusion: There are significant differences in respect to the ankle motion range among the distinct pure ethnic groups and there is a predominance of characteristics of Black people in the Mulatto group in respect to this variable compared to Caucasian traits.