The Ankle Eversion Test measures how far the foot and ankle move outward. It is useful for tracking ankle mobility, comparing sides and adding context to ankle strength, balance and lateral movement tests.
A client may feel restricted when moving the sole outward, or one side may feel different during lateral movement, balance or hopping tasks. The Ankle Eversion Test provides a structured way to measure outward ankle movement and monitor change across sessions.
This test is useful for establishing baseline ankle eversion range of motion, comparing left and right sides, and adding context to related ankle strength, balance, hop and lower-limb movement assessments. It should not be interpreted as a complete measure of ankle function on its own.
Test name: Ankle Eversion Test
Purpose: Assess ankle eversion range of motion
What it assesses: The ability to move the sole of the foot outward
Equipment: Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer
Key finding: Eversion angle in degrees
Best used with: Ankle inversion, dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, balance and ankle strength tests
Key limitation: It measures ROM, not peroneal strength, balance, proprioception or movement control.
The Ankle Eversion Test measures ankle and rearfoot movement into eversion, where the sole of the foot turns outward.
The result is recorded in degrees using the Measurz inclinometer or an equivalent inclinometer. Because eversion can be influenced by subtalar movement, midfoot movement and whole-leg rotation, the testing position, lower-leg stabilisation and device placement should be consistent each time.
The Ankle Eversion Test is used to:
Establish baseline ankle eversion ROM.
Compare left and right sides.
Monitor change over time.
Add context to ankle inversion, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion findings.
Support interpretation of ankle strength, balance and hop testing.
Track response to mobility, strength or loading programmes.
It is most useful when combined with symptoms, side-to-side comparison and related lower-limb assessment findings.
The test measures ankle eversion ROM in degrees.
It does not directly measure:
Peroneal strength.
Ankle stability.
Balance.
Proprioception.
Pain source.
Lateral movement performance.
Ligament integrity.
Return-to-sport readiness.
A lower eversion score may indicate reduced outward ankle movement under the test condition, but it does not explain the cause by itself.
Ankle eversion may be measured actively or passively.
Active eversion means the client moves the foot outward using their own effort.
Passive eversion means the professional guides the foot outward while the client remains relaxed.
Both can be useful, but they should be labelled clearly. Active ROM may be influenced by strength, control, pain or confidence. Passive ROM may provide more information about available assisted range. When retesting, repeat the same method.
This test may be useful for:
Runners.
Field sport athletes.
Court sport athletes.
Dancers.
Gym clients.
Ankle mobility clients.
Lower-limb progress tracking.
Clients where side-to-side ankle ROM comparison is useful.
Use caution when the client has acute ankle pain, high irritability, swelling, recent injury, neurological symptoms or pain that meaningfully changes movement quality.
Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer.
Treatment table or mat.
Measurz app.
Notes for side, active/passive method, symptoms and compensation.
Ask the client to remove shoes and socks. Position the client so the lower leg can remain stable while the foot moves freely.
The client may be positioned lying down or seated depending on the chosen protocol. Record the position used and repeat the same setup at retest.
Stabilise the lower leg to reduce whole-leg rotation. The goal is to measure foot and ankle eversion, not hip, knee or tibial movement.
Open the Measurz inclinometer or equivalent device. Align the inclinometer consistently with the chosen foot landmarks.
Ask the client to move the foot outward as far as comfortable and controlled.
Use a consistent instruction such as:
“Turn the sole of your foot outward as far as you comfortably can without rotating the whole leg.”
At the end of the movement, pause and record the eversion angle in degrees.
If testing passively, guide the foot gently into eversion while keeping the lower leg stable. Record that passive ROM was used.
Repeat the same method on the other ankle when side comparison is useful.
Ask what the client feels and where they feel it. Record pain, stretch, tightness, blocking, apprehension or instability sensations. Stop if symptoms meaningfully change movement quality.
Record ankle eversion ROM in degrees.
Compare:
Left versus right side.
Active versus passive ROM, if both are tested.
Baseline versus retest.
Eversion versus inversion.
ROM findings with symptoms.
ROM findings with strength, balance and hop testing.
A lower value may indicate reduced eversion movement under the tested method, but it does not explain the reason on its own. A higher value is not automatically better, especially if the client reports pain, apprehension or poor control.
Stronger interpretation comes from combining eversion ROM with inversion ROM, dorsiflexion ROM, plantarflexion ROM, ankle strength, balance, hop testing and symptom response.
Evidence level: Level 2 — closest available published reference values.
Exact norms for this specific Measurz inclinometer setup are limited, but peer-reviewed ankle motion data provides useful context. A normative study of 100 healthy adults aged 19–25 years reported ankle eversion rotation of:
Men: 10.85° ± 4.5°
Women: 14.70° ± 6.0°
Dominant ankle: 12.27° ± 5.47°
Non-dominant ankle: 13.22° ± 5.88°
These values were measured with a Hollis Ankle Arthrometer, not the Measurz inclinometer, so use them as contextual benchmarks, not strict pass/fail cut-offs.
For practical Measurz interpretation, ankle eversion around 10–15° may be a reasonable reference range for many healthy young adults. Interpret results with side-to-side comparison, baseline change, active/passive method, symptoms, inversion ROM, strength, balance and hop test findings.
Avoid using one universal number as a pass/fail rule. A lower value may still be acceptable if both sides are similar and symptoms are absent, while a higher value may still need context if pain, apprehension or poor control is present.
A 2025 systematic review of lower-limb ROM measurement found that reliability varies across goniometry, photogrammetry and smartphone-based methods, reinforcing that measurement consistency is important when assessing lower-limb ROM.
For ankle eversion, repeatability depends heavily on:
Lower-leg stabilisation.
Consistent test position.
Consistent device placement.
Avoiding whole-leg rotation.
Recording active versus passive method.
Using the same instructions at retest.
Kiatkulanusorn et al. also reported that clinical goniometric devices can vary in reliability and concurrent validity, with measurement error influenced by device, examiner and positioning factors.
No universal SEM, MDC or MCID should be assumed for this exact Measurz ankle eversion protocol unless the same protocol, device, population and testing method are used.
Common errors include:
Whole-leg rotation.
Inconsistent device placement.
Confusing toe movement with ankle or rearfoot movement.
Not stabilising the lower leg.
Ignoring symptoms.
Comparing active and passive ROM as if they are the same.
Interpreting ROM as strength or stability.
Comparing different test positions directly.
Limitations include:
Eversion can come from multiple foot and ankle regions.
Device placement can change the score.
Active and passive ROM may differ.
ROM does not measure strength, balance or control.
Norms are limited for exact inclinometer field protocols.
Use the test to:
Monitor ankle mobility.
Compare left and right sides.
Track response to mobility or loading work.
Add context to ankle inversion findings.
Support balance and hop test interpretation.
Decide whether ankle strength testing would add useful information.
For example, reduced eversion ROM with lateral ankle discomfort and poor side-hop control may be interpreted differently from reduced eversion ROM with no symptoms and strong balance results.
Record:
Test name: Ankle Eversion Test.
Side tested: left or right.
Score: eversion ROM in degrees.
Method: active or passive.
Position: lying, seated or the specific position used.
Device: Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer.
Landmarks/device placement: record the placement used.
Pain score: 0–10.
Symptom location: lateral ankle, medial ankle, foot, Achilles, calf or other.
Symptom quality: stretch, pinch, block, pain, apprehension or instability.
Compensations: whole-leg rotation, toe movement, hip movement or poor control.
Comparison side: opposite ankle.
Related findings: inversion ROM, dorsiflexion ROM, plantarflexion ROM, ankle strength, balance and hop testing.
Progress comments: whether range improved, symptoms changed or side-to-side difference reduced.
Retest date: for monitoring change.
This improves consistency, repeatability, client education and progress tracking.
Ankle Inversion Test
Ankle Dorsiflexion Test
Ankle Plantarflexion Test
Weight-Bearing Lunge Test
Single-Leg Balance
Y-Balance Test
Side Hop Test
Ankle Eversion Strength Test
Ankle Inversion Strength Test
It measures how far the foot and ankle move outward into eversion, with the result recorded in degrees.
No. ROM and strength should be tested separately. Eversion ROM measures available movement, while eversion strength measures force production.
Peer-reviewed ankle arthrometry data suggests eversion values around 10–15° may be a useful contextual benchmark for healthy young adults, depending on sex, dominance and method. These values should not be used as strict pass/fail cut-offs.
Either can be useful. Active testing records the range the client can achieve themselves. Passive testing records the range achieved with assistance. Record the method and repeat it consistently.
Yes, when side comparison is useful. Side-to-side comparison is often more meaningful than one isolated number.
Use the same position, device placement, active/passive method and Measurz recording fields each session.
The Ankle Eversion Test measures outward ankle ROM.
Record the result in degrees.
Active and passive ROM should be labelled separately.
Peer-reviewed reference values suggest eversion around 10–15° may be useful context for healthy young adults.
Use side comparison and baseline tracking.
Interpret with inversion ROM, strength, balance and symptom findings.
Do not interpret ROM as strength, control or stability.
Canever, J. B., Nonnenmacher, C. H., & Lima, K. M. M. (2025). Reliability of range of motion measurements obtained by goniometry, photogrammetry and smartphone applications in lower limb: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.01.009
Kiatkulanusorn, S., Luangpon, N., Srijunto, W., Watechagit, S., Pitchayadejanant, K., Kuharat, S., Anwar Bég, O., & Paepetch Suato, B. (2023). Analysis of the concurrent validity and reliability of five common clinical goniometric devices. Scientific Reports, 13, 20915. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48344-6
Kovaleski, J. E., Heitman, R. J., Gurchiek, L. R., Hollis, J. M., Pearsall, A. W., & Gansneder, B. M. (2011). Arthrometric measurement of ankle-complex motion: Normative values. Journal of Athletic Training, 46(2), 126–132. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-46.2.126
Norkin, C. C., & White, D. J. (2016). Measurement of joint motion: A guide to goniometry (5th ed.). F. A. Davis Company.
