Effects of Stretching Types on Gastrocnemius

NCT05879042 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 22-143
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Stretching is the process of positioning certain muscles and related soft tissues of the body in a position that will lengthen them. In addition to increasing the range of motion of stretching, different stretching on many functional (maximum isometric torque, muscle-tendon stiffness, passive-resistive torque, viscoelastic deformation) or structural parameters (muscle stiffness, tendon stiffness, muscle fascicle length, pennation angle, neuromuscular relaxation) We can make changes using methods. Static stretching usually involves actively or passively moving a limb to the full range of motion, holding this stretched position for 15-60 seconds, and then repeating it 2-4 times. Dynamic stretching encompasses all body movements and involves actively moving the active joints through the range of motion in a controlled manner. PNF stretching is known to be more effective than other stretching techniques as it increases both passive and active flexibility and improves joint range of motion in the short term. The appropriate evaluation of muscle characteristics and keeping a regular record are very important for the course of rehabilitation, clinical decisions, the creation of an appropriate treatment plan, and the evaluation of treatment practices. Objective evaluation methods are needed to measure the functional state of the muscles, that is, their viscoelastic properties. Myotonometric measurement, which is a painless, objective, and non-invasive measurement method, allows the measurement of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness. The myotonometer device is a portable handheld device used to measure the stiffness of soft tissues, including muscles and tendons, using a non-invasive approach. It is a device that is easy to use, fast, and very suitable for the purpose. Based on this information, the aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of different stretching types on gastrocnemius muscle viscoelastic properties and performance.

Conditions

Stretch

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Tone and Stiffness

  Muscle tone and stiffness will be evaluated with a myotonometer. The myotonometer was developed for the objective measurement of mechanical muscle properties. Myotonometry reflects the viscoelastic properties of the muscle such as tone and stiffness by creating oscillation in the muscle fiber and is an acceptable and reliable method for measuring the mechanical properties of the muscle in young adults. The device measures muscle tone as the natural oscillation frequency (Hz) calculated as Hz = 1/T; where T is the oscillation time measured in seconds. Muscle stiffness (N/m) is related to the maximum acceleration of oscillation and tissue deformation recorded by the transducer. Myotonometer can measure the firmness of tissues 2 cm below the epidermis.

  3 weeks

• Forward Jumping Test on One Leg

  The One Leg Forward Jumping Test will be used to measure the sudden explosive force and performance of the M.Gastrocnemius muscle. Participants will be asked to jump forward as far as possible on one leg. The measurement will be repeated 3 times bilaterally, and the maximum jumping distance will be recorded in cm.

  3 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Joint Range of Motion:

  3 weeks

• Isolated Gastrocnemius Shortness Evaluation

  3 weeks

Study Arms (4)

Group 1

EXPERIMENTAL

Static Stretching

Other: Static Stretching

Group 2

EXPERIMENTAL

Dynamic Stretching

Other: Dynamic Stretching

Group 3

EXPERIMENTAL

PNF Stretching

Other: PNF Stretching

Group 4

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham stretching

Other: Sham stretching

Interventions

Static Stretching OTHER

Participants will be placed in the maximum dorsiflexion position of the ankle of the dominant side lower extremities. At this last point, it will be held in a static position for 30 seconds. A total of 10 repetitions will be done, with 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Group 1

Dynamic Stretching OTHER

Participants will be positioned by placing their hands on the edge of the standing wall. They will be asked to try to increase normal ankle motion in a controlled manner using their own body weight. The stretching position will be held for 30 seconds and a total of 10 repetitions will be done. There will be 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Group 2

PNF Stretching OTHER

For the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-adduction-external position. For the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-abduction-internal rotation position. Participants will be asked to actively go as far as they can in the opposite direction from the starting position (flexion-abduction-internal rotation for the lateral head; flexion-adduction-external rotation for the medial head). When the participant returns to the starting position after reaching the final point, the practitioner will apply the hold-relax technique and will be asked to stay in this position for 10 seconds.

Group 3

Sham stretching OTHER

Sham stretching will be applied to the calf area. While the participant is lying prone, they will wait 30 seconds in a static position without applying any stretching to the calf area before reaching the end point of the joint range of motion.

Group 4

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Be between the ages of 18-45
• Volunteer to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Those who have had major surgery or trauma related to the musculoskeletal system, especially the ankle and calf region
• Those with neurological disease
• Those with rheumatic disease in the active period
• Those with systemic diseases (Diabetes, hypothyroidism, infection, malignancy...)
• Those with serious psychological problems (BDI score of 30 and above)
• Those with contraindications to stretching (acute inflammations, viral and bacterial infections, infectious diseases, fever, deep vein thrombosis, active malignant disease, aneurysms)
• Those who received physiotherapeutic intervention in the ankle and calf region in the last 6 months
• Obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kubra Koce: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istinye University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Muscle Stretching Exercises

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 18, 2023
• First Posted: May 30, 2023
• Study Start: May 30, 2023
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2023
• Study Completion: August 8, 2023
• Last Updated: August 9, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)