The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test, also known as the Knee-to-Wall Test or Dorsiflexion Lunge Test, measures ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in a functional weight-bearing position. It is one of the better-supported ankle ROM field tests, with research showing strong reliability and validity for measuring weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. A 2026 international normative study also reported reference values across 1,864 adults aged 18–94 years, strengthening interpretation across age and sex groups.
Ankle dorsiflexion is important for squatting, landing, running, walking, stairs, lunging and change-of-direction tasks. When dorsiflexion is limited, movement strategies may change at the foot, knee, hip or trunk.
The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test is useful because it measures dorsiflexion in a closed-chain position that resembles many functional tasks. It is quick, low cost, repeatable and can be recorded using distance, angle or both.
Test name: Weight-Bearing Lunge Test
Alternative names: Knee-to-Wall Test, Dorsiflexion Lunge Test
Category: Ankle range of motion / mobility assessment
Primary score: Distance from toe to wall, angle of tibial inclination, or ankle dorsiflexion angle
Best use: Ankle dorsiflexion baseline, side-to-side comparison and retesting
Key limitation: Results depend on foot position, heel contact, measurement method and knee tracking.
The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test assesses how far the knee can move forward over the foot while the heel remains on the ground. It can be measured as:
Distance from big toe to wall
Tibial inclination angle
Ankle dorsiflexion angle
Side-to-side difference
Research supports the lunge test as a reliable and valid measure of weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion when standardised.
The test may be used to assess:
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Left-right ankle mobility differences
Functional ankle mobility for squatting, running and landing
Baseline and retest change
Progress after mobility or strength programming
Movement restrictions that may influence lower-limb mechanics
The test measures weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.
It may reflect:
Talocrural dorsiflexion mobility
Calf and Achilles complex extensibility
Foot and ankle control
Knee tracking strategy
Side-to-side mobility difference
Symptom response in a functional position
It does not diagnose a condition or identify the exact structure limiting motion on its own.
The test may be useful for:
Runners
Field and court sport athletes
Gym clients
Lifters and squat-based athletes
Clients with ankle mobility goals
Professionals monitoring lower-limb ROM and movement capacity
It may need modification if the client cannot comfortably load the ankle in a lunge position.
Wall or vertical target
Tape measure or floor markings
Optional inclinometer
Optional Measurz inclinometer to record tibial angle
Optional Measurz AR measurement to document toe-to-wall distance
Measurz/MAT platform to record side, angle, distance, symptoms and retest comparison
Optional MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper or Muscle Meter for related lower-limb strength testing
Measurz can store this test alongside ankle ROM, lower-limb strength, balance, orthopaedic tests, outcome measures and endurance assessments within the broader 1300+ test library.
The client stands facing a wall.
Place the test foot flat on the floor with the toes pointing forward.
The client lunges the knee toward the wall while keeping the heel down.
Move the foot gradually further away from the wall until the maximum distance is found where the knee can touch the wall without the heel lifting.
Ensure the knee tracks over the foot and the heel remains in contact with the floor.
Record the toe-to-wall distance and/or tibial inclination angle.
Repeat on both sides using the same method.
Common scoring options:
Toe-to-wall distance in centimetres
Tibial inclination angle in degrees
Left-right difference
Pain or symptom response
Heel lift or compensation notes
Greater distance or angle generally indicates greater weight-bearing dorsiflexion range. Side-to-side comparison is often highly useful.
A 2026 international normative study reported Weight-Bearing Lunge Test values across 1,864 adults aged 18–94 years, stratified by age, sex and activity level. This is currently one of the strongest normative references for the distance-based WBLT.
Practical field guidance only:
Good functional dorsiflexion: approximately 10 cm or more toe-to-wall distance
Moderate: approximately 6–9 cm
Restricted or developing range: under 6 cm
Meaningful side-to-side difference: commonly worth noting when greater than 2–3 cm, especially if linked with symptoms or movement changes
Use published age- and sex-specific references where available, and avoid applying one universal cut-off across all clients.
The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test has strong reliability evidence. Chisholm and colleagues found the lunge test reliable and supported known-groups and longitudinal validity in people with ankle injury/dysfunction. Powden and colleagues’ systematic review also supports the WBLT as a reliable dorsiflexion ROM measure, while noting that measurement methods and responsiveness should be considered carefully.
Common errors include:
Allowing the heel to lift
Letting the foot rotate outward
Knee collapsing inward
Measuring from different toe positions
Changing measurement method between tests
Not recording symptoms
Comparing distance-based and angle-based scores without context
The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test can help professionals:
Monitor ankle dorsiflexion progress
Track mobility changes over time
Compare sides
Support squat, lunge, running and landing assessment
Combine ankle ROM findings with calf raise endurance, plantar flexion, balance and strength tests
Record:
Test name: Weight-Bearing Lunge Test
Side tested
Toe-to-wall distance
Tibial angle if measured
Foot position
Knee tracking
Heel lift yes/no
Pain or symptoms
Compensation notes
Retest date
Use Measurz AR measurement for distance, the Measurz inclinometer for tibial angle, and notes for symptoms and compensations.
It measures ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in a functional weight-bearing position.
Yes. The Knee-to-Wall Test is a common version of the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test.
Around 10 cm or more is often used as practical field guidance, but current normative interpretation should consider age, sex and activity level.
Yes. Side-to-side comparison is very useful.
No. It measures dorsiflexion range but does not diagnose the cause of restriction.
The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test is a reliable ankle dorsiflexion ROM test.
It can be measured by distance, angle or both.
Recent international normative data are available.
Standardisation is essential.
Measurz can record distance, angle, symptoms and progress.
Chisholm, M. D., Birmingham, T. B., Brown, J., MacDermid, J., & Chesworth, B. M. (2012). Reliability and validity of a weight-bearing measure of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Physiotherapy Canada, 64(4), 347–355. https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc.2011-41
Movement Assessment Technologies. (n.d.). Weight-bearing lunge test. https://www.matassessment.com/blog/weight-bearing-lunge-test
Powden, C. J., Hoch, J. M., & Hoch, M. C. (2015). Reliability and minimal detectable change of the weight-bearing lunge test: A systematic review. Manual Therapy, 20(4), 524–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2015.01.004
Young, D., et al. (2026). International normative values for the weight-bearing lunge test across age, sex and activity level. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice.
