Effects of Stretching Types on Gastrocnemius

NCT ID: NCT05879042

Last Updated: 2023-08-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-05-30
• Study Completion Date: 2023-08-08

Brief Summary

Stretching is the process of positioning certain muscles and related soft tissues of the body in a position that will lengthen them. In addition to increasing the range of motion of stretching, different stretching on many functional (maximum isometric torque, muscle-tendon stiffness, passive-resistive torque, viscoelastic deformation) or structural parameters (muscle stiffness, tendon stiffness, muscle fascicle length, pennation angle, neuromuscular relaxation) We can make changes using methods.

Static stretching usually involves actively or passively moving a limb to the full range of motion, holding this stretched position for 15-60 seconds, and then repeating it 2-4 times. Dynamic stretching encompasses all body movements and involves actively moving the active joints through the range of motion in a controlled manner. PNF stretching is known to be more effective than other stretching techniques as it increases both passive and active flexibility and improves joint range of motion in the short term.

The appropriate evaluation of muscle characteristics and keeping a regular record are very important for the course of rehabilitation, clinical decisions, the creation of an appropriate treatment plan, and the evaluation of treatment practices. Objective evaluation methods are needed to measure the functional state of the muscles, that is, their viscoelastic properties. Myotonometric measurement, which is a painless, objective, and non-invasive measurement method, allows the measurement of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness. The myotonometer device is a portable handheld device used to measure the stiffness of soft tissues, including muscles and tendons, using a non-invasive approach. It is a device that is easy to use, fast, and very suitable for the purpose. Based on this information, the aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of different stretching types on gastrocnemius muscle viscoelastic properties and performance.

Conditions

Stretch

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Group 1

Static Stretching

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Static Stretching

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will be placed in the maximum dorsiflexion position of the ankle of the dominant side lower extremities. At this last point, it will be held in a static position for 30 seconds. A total of 10 repetitions will be done, with 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Group 2

Dynamic Stretching

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dynamic Stretching

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will be positioned by placing their hands on the edge of the standing wall. They will be asked to try to increase normal ankle motion in a controlled manner using their own body weight. The stretching position will be held for 30 seconds and a total of 10 repetitions will be done. There will be 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Group 3

PNF Stretching

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

PNF Stretching

Intervention Type: OTHER

For the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-adduction-external position. For the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-abduction-internal rotation position. Participants will be asked to actively go as far as they can in the opposite direction from the starting position (flexion-abduction-internal rotation for the lateral head; flexion-adduction-external rotation for the medial head). When the participant returns to the starting position after reaching the final point, the practitioner will apply the hold-relax technique and will be asked to stay in this position for 10 seconds.

Group 4

Sham stretching

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham stretching

Intervention Type: OTHER

Sham stretching will be applied to the calf area. While the participant is lying prone, they will wait 30 seconds in a static position without applying any stretching to the calf area before reaching the end point of the joint range of motion.

Interventions

Static Stretching

Participants will be placed in the maximum dorsiflexion position of the ankle of the dominant side lower extremities. At this last point, it will be held in a static position for 30 seconds. A total of 10 repetitions will be done, with 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Dynamic Stretching

Participants will be positioned by placing their hands on the edge of the standing wall. They will be asked to try to increase normal ankle motion in a controlled manner using their own body weight. The stretching position will be held for 30 seconds and a total of 10 repetitions will be done. There will be 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Intervention Type: OTHER

PNF Stretching

For the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-adduction-external position. For the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-abduction-internal rotation position. Participants will be asked to actively go as far as they can in the opposite direction from the starting position (flexion-abduction-internal rotation for the lateral head; flexion-adduction-external rotation for the medial head). When the participant returns to the starting position after reaching the final point, the practitioner will apply the hold-relax technique and will be asked to stay in this position for 10 seconds.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Sham stretching

Sham stretching will be applied to the calf area. While the participant is lying prone, they will wait 30 seconds in a static position without applying any stretching to the calf area before reaching the end point of the joint range of motion.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Be between the ages of 18-45
• Volunteer to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Those who have had major surgery or trauma related to the musculoskeletal system, especially the ankle and calf region
• Those with neurological disease
• Those with rheumatic disease in the active period
• Those with systemic diseases (Diabetes, hypothyroidism, infection, malignancy...)
• Those with serious psychological problems (BDI score of 30 and above)
• Those with contraindications to stretching (acute inflammations, viral and bacterial infections, infectious diseases, fever, deep vein thrombosis, active malignant disease, aneurysms)
• Those who received physiotherapeutic intervention in the ankle and calf region in the last 6 months
• Obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Kubra Koce

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Kubra Koce

Lecturer

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Istinye University

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

22-143

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id