Determination of ankle joint mobility as a means of selection and assessment of athlete potential in cross-country skiing

The article presents materials on determining the mobility of the ankle joint and the influence of this parameter on the technique of movements in cross-country skiing using classical and skating styles. The purpose of the study is to determine the mobility of the ankle joint as a means of selecting and assessing the potential of participants in cross-country skiing. Research methods and organization. Research methods included literature analysis, observation, surveys of specialists, measurement of angular parameters using the Kinovea software, and mathematical statistics methods. The study was conducted at the sports school for cross-country skiing No. 2 of the Nevsky District of St. Petersburg from 2021 to 2024, as well as in other sports sections. A total of 37 participants, aged between 7 and 17 years, engaged in cross-country skiing and other sports (such as Taekwondo and trampoline jumping), took part in the experiment. Research results and conclusions. It has been identified that the mobility of the ankle joint exhibits stable characteristics and can serve as a means of selection in cross-country skiing. By measuring angular parameters, one can determine the predisposition for the technique of movement both in skating and classical styles. The results of this study can be applied to sports that involve skiing, such as biathlon, Nordic combined, winter polyathlon, and others.