Efficiency of Different Gastrocnemius Stretching Exercises

NCT06371547 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: BEUFTR-3
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different types and durations of gastrocnemius stretching on the viscoelastic properties of the gastrocnemius muscle, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia.In addition, pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle and plantar fascia, as well as on hamstring tightness will be measured.

Conditions

Muscle Tightness

Keywords

pain threshold; elasticity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Measurement of the Viscoelastic Properties

  The effect of stretches on the viscoelastic properties of the stretched muscle and its associated anatomical regions will be evaluated non-invasively using the myotonometer. Measurements will be taken on the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia. The measurement areas will be marked prior to measurement. Measurements of the gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon will be taken with individuals lying prone, knees extended, and ankles in a neutral position. Measurement of plantar fascia tone will be taken with individuals lying prone, hips in neutral, knees extended, ankles in neutral position with goniometer assistance, and supported. All measurements will be taken three times, and the averages will be recorded.

  Change from baseline viscoelastic properties at seventh and fourteen day

• Ankle-foot Dorsiflexion Index

  The ankle-foot dorsiflexion index will be used to assess both the tightness of the gastrocnemius muscle and the effectiveness of stretches. The individual's dorsiflexion range of motion will be measured using the lunge test, with measurements taken in both knee extension and flexion positions, and the difference between these measurements will be recorded as the ankle-foot dorsiflexion index.

  Change from baseline ankle dorsiflexion range of motion at seventh and fourteen day

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Measurement of the Mechanosensitivity

  Change from baseline pain at seventh and fourteen day

• Assessment of Hamstring Tightness

  Change from baseline hamstring tightness at seventh and fourteen day

Other Outcomes (5)

• Dominant Leg Determination

  At the baseline

• Navicular Drop Test

  At the baseline

• Self-reported Effects of Stretching Exercises

  Change from baseline self-reported effects of stretching exercises at seventh and fourteen day

Study Arms (4)

Sustained stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle with a towel

EXPERIMENTAL

The participant will place a towel under the plantar surface of the foot and, using both hands, pull the towel towards themselves until they feel a stretch in the calf muscle. Subsequently, they will be asked to maintain this position for 3 minutes. The stretching exercise will be performed in 3 sets per day.

Other: Stretching Exercise

Intermittent stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle with a towel

EXPERIMENTAL

In intermittent stretching with a towel, the individual will place a towel under the plantar surface of the foot and, using both hands, pull the towel towards themselves until they feel a stretch in the calf muscle. Subsequently, they will be instructed to maintain this position for 20 seconds. The stretching exercise will be performed in 2 sets per day, with 5 repetitions in each set.

Other: Stretching Exercise

Sustained stretching against the wall

EXPERIMENTAL

In sustained stretching against the wall, individuals will be asked to place their hands on the wall at shoulder width apart. One leg will be positioned behind the other. Then, the front knee will be bent while keeping the back knee in extension and the heel in contact with the ground. Individuals will be instructed to bend their knees until they feel a stretch in the calf muscle. Subsequently, they will be asked to maintain this position for 3 minutes. The stretching exercise will be performed in 3 sets per day.

Other: Stretching Exercise

Intermittent stretching against the wall

EXPERIMENTAL

During intermittent stretching against the wall, individuals will be instructed to place their hands on the wall at shoulder width apart. One leg will be positioned behind the other. Then, the knee of the front leg will be bent while the knee of the back leg continues to stay in extension, and the heel remains in contact with the ground. Individuals will be asked to bend their knee until they feel a stretch in the calf muscle. Subsequently, they will be instructed to maintain this position for 20 seconds. The stretching exercise will be performed in 2 sets per day, with 5 repetitions in each set.

Other: Stretching Exercise

Interventions

Stretching Exercise OTHER

Participants will perform different types and durations of gastrocnemius muscle stretching exercises according to their assigned groups for two weeks.

Intermittent stretching against the wall; Intermittent stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle with a towel; Sustained stretching against the wall; Sustained stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle with a towel

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age of 18 to 25 years
• Having a gastrocnemius muscle tightness in the dominant side

You may not qualify if:

• History of lower extremity surgery or trauma
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia, neurological disease, achilles tendinopathy, metatarsalgia, acute ankle sprain, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or heel pad syndrome
• Having received physiotherapy related to the lower extremities within the last six months
• A body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2
• Having received a local steroid injection within the last six weeks
• The presence of a local infection
• The presence of rheumatic or other systemic inflammatory diseases
• Diabetes or other metabolic diseases
• Nerve compression syndrome
• Currently using painkillers
• Diagnosis of neurological heel pain
• A positive navicular drop test result
• Having engaged in strenuous exercise within the last 24 hours
• Not being fully compliant with the exercise program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bitlis Eren University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bitlis Eren University

Bitlis, Merkez, 13000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (15)

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  PMID: 16498906 BACKGROUND

• Schwartz EN, Su J. Plantar fasciitis: a concise review. Perm J. 2014 Winter;18(1):e105-7. doi: 10.7812/TPP/13-113.

  PMID: 24626080 BACKGROUND

• Porter D, Barrill E, Oneacre K, May BD. The effects of duration and frequency of Achilles tendon stretching on dorsiflexion and outcome in painful heel syndrome: a randomized, blinded, control study. Foot Ankle Int. 2002 Jul;23(7):619-24. doi: 10.1177/107110070202300706.

  PMID: 12146772 BACKGROUND

• Liu CL, Li YP, Wang XQ, Zhang ZJ. Quantifying the Stiffness of Achilles Tendon: Intra- and Inter-Operator Reliability and the Effect of Ankle Joint Motion. Med Sci Monit. 2018 Jul 14;24:4876-4881. doi: 10.12659/MSM.909531.

  PMID: 30006997 BACKGROUND

• Park G, Kim CW, Park SB, Kim MJ, Jang SH. Reliability and usefulness of the pressure pain threshold measurement in patients with myofascial pain. Ann Rehabil Med. 2011 Jun;35(3):412-7. doi: 10.5535/arm.2011.35.3.412. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

  PMID: 22506152 BACKGROUND

• Weerasinghe TW, Goonetilleke RS, Reischl U. Pressure thresholds and stiffness on the plantar surface of the human foot. Ergonomics. 2017 Jul;60(7):985-996. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2016.1229042. Epub 2016 Sep 26.

  PMID: 27609429 BACKGROUND

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  PMID: 24703512 BACKGROUND

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• Monteagudo M, de Albornoz PM, Gutierrez B, Tabuenca J, Alvarez I. Plantar fasciopathy: A current concepts review. EFORT Open Rev. 2018 Aug 29;3(8):485-493. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170080. eCollection 2018 Aug.

  PMID: 30237906 BACKGROUND

• Hirata K, Kanehisa H, Miyamoto N. Acute effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the human gastrocnemius fascicle measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017 Mar;117(3):493-499. doi: 10.1007/s00421-017-3550-z. Epub 2017 Feb 4.

  PMID: 28161870 BACKGROUND

• Kanehisa H, Ikegawa S, Tsunoda N, Fukunaga T. Cross-sectional areas of fat and muscle in limbs during growth and middle age. Int J Sports Med. 1994 Oct;15(7):420-5. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-1021081.

  PMID: 8002122 BACKGROUND

• Masood T, Bojsen-Moller J, Kalliokoski KK, Kirjavainen A, Aarimaa V, Peter Magnusson S, Finni T. Differential contributions of ankle plantarflexors during submaximal isometric muscle action: a PET and EMG study. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2014 Jun;24(3):367-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 20.

  PMID: 24717406 BACKGROUND

• Kamonseki DH, Goncalves GA, Yi LC, Junior IL. Effect of stretching with and without muscle strengthening exercises for the foot and hip in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial. Man Ther. 2016 Jun;23:76-82. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.10.006. Epub 2015 Oct 30.

  PMID: 26654252 BACKGROUND

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 Officials

• Ömer Dursun, Asst. Prof.

  Bitlis Eren University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Erhan Dincer, M.Sc.

  Bitlis Eren University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Cihan Önen, Asst. Prof.

  Bitlis Eren University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Abdurrahman Tanhan, Ph.D.

  Bitlis Eren University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ömer Dursun, Asst. Prof.

CONTACT

5426088687; fztomrdrsn@gmail.com

Erhan Dincer, M.Sc.

CONTACT

5442543857; fzterhan@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Interventions and assessment will be performed by separate researchers.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 14, 2024
• First Posted: April 17, 2024
• Study Start: May 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 15, 2024
• Study Completion: December 15, 2024
• Last Updated: April 17, 2024

Record last verified: 2023-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)