Correlation Between Gastrocnemius Muscle Strain and Functional Performance in Footballers

NCT07037095 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: DPT/Batch-Fall20/1005
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 158
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Footballers are highly prone to lower extremity injuries due to the intense physical demands of the sport, with calf muscle strains, particularly gastrocnemius injuries, being very common. The gastrocnemius muscle plays a critical role in movement, posture, and athletic performance.

Conditions

Muscle Strain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)

  The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a questionnaire used to assess an individual's functional limitations related to their lower extremities. It contains 20 items, each scored on a scale of 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating better function. The total score ranges from 0 to 80, with 80 representing no functional limitations

  6 Month

• Hop tests

  The Hop tests are used to assess lower limb function, particularly after injury, and are scored using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) by comparing the injured leg's performance to the uninjured leg. A score of 90% or higher on the LSI is generally considered a satisfactory level of recovery, indicating readiness to return to sports.

  6 Months

Study Arms (1)

Ankle plantar flexion test

Diagnostic Test: Ankle plantar flexion test:

Interventions

Ankle plantar flexion test: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Ankle plantarflexion is valid test used to assess for gastrocnemius muscle strain . Patient is asked to actively plantarflex the foot against resistance while examiner Observe ,this action activates the gastrocnemius muscle .The reliability for ankle plantar flexion is 0.81 to 0.99. If the patient reports pain in the region of gastrocnemius, the test is positive. If there is no pain , weakness or difficulty performing plantarflexion then suggest that test is negative.

Ankle plantar flexion test

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Footballers are highly prone to lower extremity injuries due to the intense physical demands of the sport, with calf muscle strains, particularly gastrocnemius injuries, being very common.

You may qualify if:

• Both male and female patients aged between 18 and 40 years.
• At least six months of football training.
• The study focused on players with gastrocnemius muscle injury injuries diagnosed by physical examination; palpation, Stretch Test (Passive Dorsiflexion Test), Resisted Plantarflexion Test.
• Willing to provide written informed consent and comply with study protocols.

You may not qualify if:

• Players with Achilles tendon injuries were excluded from the study.
• History of extrinsic trauma
• Inability to perform rehabilitation
• No intention to return to full sports act

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Superior University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Superior university support club

Lahore, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sprains and Strains

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2025
• First Posted: June 25, 2025
• Study Start: March 4, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)