Effects Of Posterior Oblique Sling Strengthening on Temporo-Spatial Gait Parameters in Young Adults

NCT06944769 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: RiphahIU Ameera Aamar
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of posterior oblique sling strengthening on gait parameters (speed, stride length, and cadence), gluteus maximus strength, latissimus dorsi flexibility, and trunk rotation in young adults. A randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Riphah Internal university, Rawal General \& Dental Hospital and Rawal Institute of Rehabilitation \& Health Sciences. Recruiting 48 participants aged 18-30 years with unilateral or bilateral posterior oblique sling tightness. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups through the sealed envelope method. The intervention will be performed four times per week for three weeks, followed by a home-based program from weeks 4 to 6. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-1st session, weekly during intervention, and at week 6. Tools used include Inclinometer (for lumbar range of motion), Goniometer (to assess latissimus dorsi length), Waistband Pedometer (to measure gait parameters such as cadence, walking speed, and stride length), Hand-held Dynamometer (to assess gluteus maximus strength), Inches Tape (for Pectoralis Minor Length Test to evaluate muscle flexibility and scapular positioning) and demographic measures..

Conditions

Muscle Tightness

Keywords

Posterior Oblique Sling; Spatio-Temporal Analysis; METs; Latissimus dorsi; Gluteal Maximus; Waist-Band pedometer; Hand-held dynamometer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Hand-held dynamometer for gluteal maximus strength:

  The hand-held dynamometer is used to assess gluteus maximus strength by measuring the force exerted during hip extension. The patient is positioned in the prone position with the knee flexed at 90°, and the dynamometer is placed just above the knee on the posterior side of the leg. The patient then extends the hip against the resistance provided by the dynamometer, with measurements recorded in kilograms or pounds. The test is repeated 2-3 times to ensure consistency, with adequate rest between repetitions.

  Baseline to 6 weeks

• Waist band Pedometer:

  The waistband pedometer is used to measure gait parameters the pedometer records the total steps taken over a set time, which is divided by time to calculate steps per minute.

  Baseline to 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Goniometer ( Latissimus Dorsi length)

  Baseline to 6 weeks

• Inches Tape (for Pectoralis Minor length Test)

  Baseline to 6 weeks

• Inclinometer for lumbar flexion

  Baseline to 6 weeks

• Inclinometer for lumbar extension

  Baseline to 6 weeks

• Inclinometer for lumbar right lateral flexion

  Baseline to 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group A Myofascial technique

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Group A follows a six-week, five-day-per-week protocol (30-40 min) targeting posterior oblique sling activation.

Other: Group A myofascial technique

group B (posterior oblique sling strengthening protocol)

EXPERIMENTAL

A six-week conservative protocol, conducted five times per week for 30-40 minutes, focusing on core stability exercises.

Other: Group B posterior sling exercises

Interventions

Group A myofascial technique OTHER

Group A with MET (latissimus dorsi), myofascial release (thoracolumbar fascia) and posterior oblique sling strengthening it will be a six-week protocol, with sessions conducted five times a week for 30-40 minutes, focusing on posterior oblique sling activation. Week 1: Myofascial release (thoracolumbar fascia, 60-90 sec), MET (latissimus dorsi, 7-10 sec isometric + 30-sec stretch, 5 reps), glute max strengthening (prone hip extensions, 10-sec holds ×5; bilateral bridges, 5-sec holds ×5). Week 2: Prone hip extension (3-kg resistance), arm extension (1-kg dumbbell, 5-sec holds ×5), bird-dog (5-sec holds ×10, 1 set). Weeks 3-4: Prone hip extensions (5-sec holds ×10), single-leg bridges (5-sec holds ×10), twice daily. Weeks 5-6: Increased intensity to 10-sec holds ×10 reps

Group A Myofascial technique

Group B posterior sling exercises OTHER

A six-week conservative protocol, was conducted five times weekly for 30-40 minutes, focuses on core stability exercises. Week 1 includes static stretching of the latissimus dorsi (30-second hold, 3 reps) and prone hip extensions with knee flexed at 90° (5-second hold, 10 reps). By Week 2, bird-dog exercises are introduced (5-second hold, 10 reps per side). In Weeks 3-6, these exercises are maintained to provide a stable baseline for comparison with Group A's more intensive protocol. The latissimus dorsi stretch is performed 2-3 times daily for improved flexibility.

group B (posterior oblique sling strengthening protocol)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-30 years.
• Both Genders: Male and Female.
• Participants either unilateral or bilateral POS tightness.
• Participants had latissimus dorsi tightness indicates:
• Modified rotation test (10-degree rotation difference than contralateral side)
• Participants had gluteal maximus weakness indicates:
• Prone hip extension test (unable to lift leg more than 15 degrees or do compensatory mechanism)

You may not qualify if:

• Participants who have pectoralis minor tightness indicates:
• Pectoralis Minor Length Test (assessing the ability to flatten the posterior shoulder with posterior force applied in a supine position distance greater than 2.6 cm (1 inch) by inches tape indicate Pectoralis Minor tightness).
• Diagnosed Lumbar spondylosis.
• Diagnosed disc prolapse.
• Diagnosed neurological deficits.
• Diagnosed cerebellar or vestibular lesions impacting balance and gait.
• The presence of knee, ankle, or hip pathologies that impair lower limb function.
• Spine surgery within the past 12 months
• Unable to understand and follow the commands

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Rawal Institute of Rehabilitation & Health Sciences (RIRH) & Rawal General & Dental Hospital. (RG&DH)

Islamabad, Capital, 45550, Pakistan

Location

Study Officials

• Aisha Razzaq, PHD*

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 20, 2025
• First Posted: April 25, 2025
• Study Start: January 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: January 31, 2026
• Last Updated: April 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)