“Dorsiflexion” refers to the act of flexing the foot at the ankle joint so the upper surfaces of the toes (including the toenails) move toward the shin bones at the front of the lower-leg, thereby decreasing the angle between the two. This backward bending-and-contracting mobility exercise is important for toe clearance during the swing phase of gait strength training – for example, when lifting your toes up to the ceiling.