Foot Posture, Strength, Performance, and Postural Control in Isolated Gastrocnemius Tightness

NCT06363136 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 14.06.2023-111176
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Studies on gastrocnemius tightness in healthy children are limited, but there is evidence that ankle dorsiflexion decreases with increasing age in children. It is not known whether gastrocnemius tightness is a normal finding in children, but recurrent leg pain is common in children. It is also known that flexible flatfoot is a normal observation in developing children and that the medial longitudinal arch develops during the first decade of life. Both foot morphology and ankle dorsiflexion change in developing children; however, it is not known whether there is a relationship between them or not. In the literature, there is no study evaluating foot posture, muscle strength, functional performance, and postural control in children with isolated gastrocnemius muscle tightness. It was planned to evaluate postural control using computerized dynamic posturography (Biodex Balance System), lower extremity muscle strength using a hand-held dynamometer, foot posture using the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6), and functional performance using single-foot-double-foot jump tests in healthy children with isolated gastrocnemius muscle tightness.

Conditions

Gastrocnemius Tightness; Postural Control; Muscle Strength; Functional Performance; Foot Posture

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Postural Control Assessment

  Postural stability, limits of stability, and sensory integration of balance will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System®.

  1 day

• Lower extremity muscle strength measurement

  The strength of hip adductors-abductors, external-internal rotators, flexors-extensors, knee flexors-extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors-plantar flexors, invertors-evertors muscles will be evaluated isometrically using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET 2 force gauge, Hoggan Health Industries, Salt Lake City, Utah).

  1 day

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Foot posture assessment

  1 day

• Functional performance assessment

  1 day

Study Arms (2)

Study group

The group will include 14 children aged 7-16 who are voluntarily participating and being followed for bilateral isolated gastrocnemius tightness by the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Bezmialem Vakif University.

Control group

The group will consist 14 healthy children from the same age group.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will recruit 14 children aged 7-16 years who were followed up by Bezmialem Vakıf University Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology for bilateral isolated gastrocnemius tightness who participated voluntarily. In addition, 14 healthy children of the same age group consisting of relatives of the participating families and healthy relatives of the students studying in the department will be included. The cross-sectional study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. After obtaining informed consent from both parents and children, all evaluations and tests for the participants will be performed at Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Health Sciences Paediatric and Cardiac Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Education and Research Laboratories.

You may qualify if:

• Study group
• Presence of bilateral isolated gastrocnemius tightness (The test is considered positive when ankle dorsal flexion dorsiflexion increases over a minimum of 10 degrees with the knee flexed than the knee extension.
• Being between 7-16 years of age

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of high femoral anteversion, internal tibial torsion, and metatarsus adductus
• Presence of hypermobility (Beighton score \>4 and above)
• Leg length discrepancy
• Presence of any neurological, rheumatic, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and connective tissue disease
• History of pain, deformity, or surgery associated with the vertebral column and lower extremities
• Presence of cognitive, mental, and/or severe psychiatric illness
• Participation in any exercise program or sportive activity in the last six months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bezmialem Vakif University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bezmialem Vakif University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Eren-Zengin F, Tuncer D, Senaran H, Uzer G. Effects of isolated gastrocnemius tightness on foot posture, strength, function, and balance in children aged 7-16: a case-control study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Oct 3;17(1):289. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01210-6.

  PMID: 41039620 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Deniz Tuncer

  Bezmialem Vakif University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2024
• First Posted: April 12, 2024
• Study Start: February 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2024
• Study Completion: July 30, 2024
• Last Updated: July 30, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)