Ankle plantarflexion is important for walking, running, jumping, calf raises, push-off, change-of-direction tasks and many sport or daily movement patterns. When weight-bearing plantarflexion is reduced, a client may show altered push-off, reduced heel-rise height, asymmetrical calf raise performance, stiffness through the front of the ankle or reduced confidence loading through the forefoot.
The Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test is useful because it assesses plantarflexion in a functional position. Instead of measuring the ankle only in non-weight-bearing, it captures how the foot, ankle, calf and balance system behave when the client has to raise the heel against body weight.
Test name: Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test – cm
Alternative names: WBPT, Weight-Bearing Plantar Flexion Test, Heel-Rise Height Test
Category: Ankle range of motion / mobility assessment
Primary score: Heel-rise height in centimetres
Best use: Functional ankle plantarflexion baseline, side-to-side comparison and retesting
Key limitation: Results depend on foot position, toe position, balance, calf strength, pain, measurement method and whether the test is single-leg or double-leg.
The Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test assesses how high the heel can rise from the ground while the client is in a loaded position.
It can be measured as:
heel-rise height in centimetres
side-to-side difference
plantarflexion angle if using an inclinometer or video method
pain or symptom response
movement quality and compensation
The test is often more functional than a non-weight-bearing plantarflexion ROM measure because it requires the client to control the ankle, foot and calf while loaded.
The test may be used to assess:
functional ankle plantarflexion range
heel-rise height
push-off capacity context
side-to-side ankle mobility difference
calf raise setup and control
baseline and retest change
symptoms during forefoot loading
movement restrictions that may influence walking, running, jumping or calf raise tasks
It is especially useful when the goal is to monitor change over time using a simple, repeatable field measure.
The test measures weight-bearing ankle plantarflexion performance using heel-rise height.
It may reflect:
ankle plantarflexion range
calf and Achilles complex capacity
forefoot loading tolerance
toe and metatarsophalangeal extension tolerance
balance and postural control
foot stiffness or mobility
pain or symptom response
side-to-side mobility difference
movement confidence under load
It does not directly measure maximal calf strength, Achilles tendon structure, calf endurance or isolated ankle joint motion unless additional tests are used.
The test may be useful for:
runners
jump-sport athletes
field and court sport athletes
gym clients
dancers
older adults
clients with ankle mobility goals
clients completing calf raise progressions
professionals monitoring lower-limb ROM and movement capacity
It may need modification if the client cannot safely balance, cannot tolerate forefoot loading, has high pain during heel rise or cannot perform the chosen loaded variation.
Flat non-slip surface
Wall, rail or light fingertip support if needed
Ruler, tape measure or digital distance measurement option
Optional Measurz AR measurement to document heel-rise height
Optional Measurz inclinometer if recording plantarflexion angle
Measurz/MAT platform to record side, distance, symptoms and retest comparison
Optional MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper or Muscle Meter for related lower-limb strength testing
Optional video recording for heel-rise quality and compensation
Measurz can store this test alongside ankle ROM, calf raise endurance, lower-limb strength, balance, orthopaedic tests, outcome measures and endurance assessments within the broader Measurz/MAT test library.
Prepare the surface
Use a flat, non-slip surface. Record whether the test is performed barefoot, in socks or in shoes.
Choose the test version
Decide whether the test will be performed double-leg or single-leg. Do not compare single-leg and double-leg results directly.
Position the client
The client stands upright with the test foot flat on the floor. If testing single-leg, the opposite foot is lifted or supported according to the chosen protocol.
Standardise support
Allow light fingertip support if needed, but record it clearly. Avoid pulling up through the hands.
Set the measurement point
Choose a consistent heel landmark, such as the lowest point of the calcaneus or a marked point on the heel. Use the same landmark each time.
Perform the heel rise
Ask the client to rise up onto the forefoot as high as comfortably possible while keeping the knee position and foot alignment controlled.
Hold the top position briefly
Ask the client to pause long enough for measurement. Avoid bouncing or using momentum.
Measure heel-rise height
Measure the vertical distance from the floor to the selected heel landmark at the highest controlled position.
Repeat on both sides
Repeat using the same method, support and instructions.
Record symptoms and compensation
Record pain, stiffness, heel lift quality, balance, knee bend, foot rotation, toe discomfort and any other compensation.
Common scoring options:
heel-rise height in centimetres
left-right difference
single-leg versus double-leg version
pain or symptom response
balance or support required
movement-quality notes
compensation notes
Greater heel-rise height generally indicates greater weight-bearing plantarflexion performance under the tested setup.
Interpretation is stronger when combined with:
pain score
symptom location
side-to-side comparison
calf raise endurance
single-leg calf raise height
ankle dorsiflexion
ankle plantarflexion ROM
balance testing
gait, running, hopping or jumping findings
lower-limb strength testing
The result does not explain the cause of reduced plantarflexion by itself. It helps guide exercise selection, monitoring and further assessment decisions.
Exact universal norms for the Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test measured in centimetres are limited.
Heel-rise height depends on:
body size
foot length
toe extension
calf strength
ankle mobility
balance
footwear
single-leg or double-leg version
measurement landmark
support used
pain or symptoms
Practical field guidance:
compare left and right sides
compare baseline to retest
track heel-rise height in centimetres
track pain and symptom response
track balance and support use
record whether the knee bends or the foot rotates
combine with calf raise endurance and ankle dorsiflexion testing
A meaningful side-to-side difference should be noted, especially if it aligns with symptoms, reduced push-off, lower calf raise height or functional movement changes.
Use published reference values only when the protocol, population and measurement method are comparable.
Weight-bearing plantarflexion measurement can be useful when the protocol is standardised.
Reliability improves when the same:
surface
footwear
test version
support level
heel landmark
measurement tool
instructions
number of trials
endpoint definition
symptom scale
are used each time.
Research on functional heel-rise and weight-bearing plantarflexion methods supports the value of standardised clinical measurement, but the exact protocol matters. Heel-rise height, plantarflexion angle and calf raise repetitions should not be treated as interchangeable measures.
Small changes should be interpreted cautiously unless they are repeated, exceed expected measurement variation and align with symptoms, function or related testing.
Common errors include:
changing from double-leg to single-leg testing
changing footwear between sessions
allowing strong hand support
not recording support use
measuring from different heel landmarks
allowing excessive knee bend
allowing foot rotation
not recording pain or symptoms
comparing heel-rise height with plantarflexion angle without context
interpreting the result as isolated calf strength
Limitations include:
heel-rise height is influenced by strength and balance
toe extension can affect performance
pain can reduce height
footwear changes results
support use changes difficulty
side-to-side comparison may be more useful than universal norms
the test does not diagnose the cause of restriction
the test does not measure calf endurance unless repetitions are added
The Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test can help professionals:
monitor functional plantarflexion progress
compare sides
track heel-rise height after training or mobility work
support calf raise programming
add context to walking, running and jumping assessment
monitor symptoms during forefoot loading
combine ankle ROM findings with calf raise endurance, balance and strength tests
It is most useful when paired with:
Weight-Bearing Lunge Test
Ankle Plantarflexion Test
Single-Leg Calf Raise Test
Calf Raise Endurance Test
Balance Tests
Hop Tests
Running Gait Checklist
Lower-limb strength testing
Record:
test name: Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test – cm
side tested
single-leg or double-leg version
heel-rise height in centimetres
footwear
support used
heel landmark
knee position
foot position
pain or symptoms
balance notes
compensation notes
retest date
Use Measurz AR measurement for heel-rise height, the Measurz inclinometer if recording plantarflexion angle, and notes for symptoms and compensations.
A useful Measurz note may read:
“WBPT single-leg, barefoot, light fingertip support. Right heel-rise height 8.4 cm, left 10.1 cm. Mild right anterior ankle stiffness, no pain. Slight knee flexion on right at top range. Retest same setup.”
It measures how high the heel can rise in a loaded position, giving information about functional ankle plantarflexion and heel-rise capacity.
Not exactly. The WBPT focuses on heel-rise height or plantarflexion range. A calf raise test usually measures repetitions, endurance or strength capacity.
Both can be useful, but they should be recorded separately. Single-leg testing is usually more demanding and provides clearer side-to-side information.
There are limited universal norms for heel-rise height in centimetres. Baseline, side-to-side comparison and retest change are usually most useful.
Yes. Side-to-side comparison is highly useful.
No. It measures functional plantarflexion performance but does not diagnose the cause of restriction or symptoms.
The Weight-Bearing Plantarflexion Test measures loaded heel-rise height.
It can be recorded in centimetres, angle or both depending on the protocol.
Side-to-side and baseline comparison are often more useful than universal norms.
Standardisation is essential.
Footwear, support, heel landmark, pain and compensation should be recorded.
Measurz can record height, angle, symptoms, setup and progress.
Bohannon, R. W. (2022). The heel-raise test for ankle plantarflexor strength: A scoping review and meta-analysis of studies providing norms. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 34(7), 528–531.
Movement Assessment Technologies. (n.d.). Weight-bearing plantar flexion test. https://www.matassessment.com/blog/weight-bearing-plantar-flexion-test
Movement Assessment Technologies Help Centre. (n.d.). Weight-bearing plantar flexion test. https://help.matassessment.com/en/articles/128-weight-bearing-plantar-flexion-test
Walder, S., Ness, B., & Zimney, K. (2018). The reliability of a novel heel-rise test versus goniometry to assess ankle plantarflexion active range of motion. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 13(1), 19–27.
