Muscle Tightness
Conditions
Keywords
pain threshold, elasticity
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.
Detailed description
The study will include a total of at least 48 individuals who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for gastrocnemius stretching exercises of different durations and types. Participants in Group I will perform sustained stretching with a towel, those in Group II will perform intermittent stretching with a towel, those in Group III will perform sustained stretching against the wall, and those in Group IV will perform intermittent stretching against the wall. The stretching exercises will be performed under the supervision of one of the researcher. Compliance with the stretching exercise will be evaluated by keeping a daily log.
Interventions
OTHERStretching Exercise
Participants will perform different types and durations of gastrocnemius muscle stretching exercises according to their assigned groups for two weeks.
Sponsors
Bitlis Eren University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Interventions and assessment will be performed by separate researchers.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age of 18 to 25 years * Having a gastrocnemius muscle tightness in the dominant side
Exclusion criteria
* 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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement of the Viscoelastic Properties | Change from baseline viscoelastic properties at seventh and fourteen day | 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. |
| Ankle-foot Dorsiflexion Index | Change from baseline ankle dorsiflexion range of motion at seventh and fourteen day | 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. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement of the Mechanosensitivity | Change from baseline pain at seventh and fourteen day | The effect of stretching on pain threshold will be assessed using an analog algometer. Pain threshold measurements will be taken on the gastrocnemius and plantar fascia. The measurement points for the gastrocnemius muscle will be the same as the viscoelastic measurement points. The measurement point for the plantar fascia will be the point where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel. Pain threshold measurements will be taken with the individual lying prone, with their feet hanging off the treatment bed. Measurements will be taken at each point with a 30-second interval, and three measurements will be taken for each point. The averages of these measurements will be calculated. |
| Assessment of Hamstring Tightness | Change from baseline hamstring tightness at seventh and fourteen day | The hamstring muscle tightness in the individuals participating in the study will be assessed using the straight leg raise test. The straight leg raise test is particularly used to evaluate the tightness and elasticity of the hamstring muscles. For the test, the individual will be positioned in a supine lying position with the hip and knee joints in a neutral position. Subsequently, while the knee is in extension, the hip will gradually be brought into flexion. Hip flexion will be stopped when the individual feels discomfort from the tension behind the hip. Then, using a goniometer, the angle formed between the individual's lower extremity and the treatment bed will be measured. The center of the goniometer will be placed on the greater trochanter, with one arm along the lateral thigh and the other arm parallel to the treatment bed. An angle of 80 degrees is considered normal. The measurement will be repeated three times, and the average of the three measurements will be calculated. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dominant Leg Determination | At the baseline | To determine the dominant lower extremity of the individuals to be included in the study, they will be asked the question 'which foot do you use to kick a ball? |
| Compliance with Stretching Exercise Program | Change from baseline at fourteen day | The participants' compliance with the stretching exercise program was categorized based on the percentage of required sets and repetitions completed: (1) fully compliant if 85% were completed, (2) partially compliant if 70% to 84% were completed, (3) poorly compliant if 50% to 69% were completed, and (4) noncompliant if 10% to 49% were completed. |
| Navicular Drop Test | At the baseline | The navicular drop test will be used to evaluate the medial longitudinal arch of the individuals participating in the study. The test will be performed in two different positions: sitting and standing. First, in the sitting position, the navicular tuberosity of the individual will be marked with a pen, and the distance to the ground will be measured. Then, the individual will be asked to stand up and transfer all body weight onto their feet, and again the distance between the navicular tuberosity and the ground will be measured. A difference of more than 10 mm between the two measurements indicates that the individual's foot is in pronation. |
| Self-reported Effects of Stretching Exercises | Change from baseline self-reported effects of stretching exercises at seventh and fourteen day | Participants in the study will be asked to mark any symptoms such as muscle fatigue or pain they experience in any part of their body on a body diagram and rate the severity of these symptoms on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10. |
| The Satisfaction Level with the Stretching | Change from baseline at seventh and fourteen day | The satisfaction level with the stretching treatment will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Participants will be asked to rate their satisfaction level with the stretching treatment, and they will be asked to score between 0% and 100%. A score of 0% indicates 'no effect' while 100% indicates 'very satisfied'. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
Primary ContactÖmer Dursun, Asst. Prof.
Backup ContactErhan Dincer, M.Sc.
Outcome results
None listed