The effect of calf muscle stretching exercises on ankle joint dorsiflexion and dynamic foot pressures, force and related temporal parameters

Macklin, K; Healy, Aoife; Chockalingam, Nachiappan

doi:10.1016/j.foot.2011.09.001

Cited by 30 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Stretching in combination with warming up (SMD 0.87, 95% CI: 0.18 to 1.55) [30], superficial moist heat (SMD 0.84, 95% CI: 0.18 to 1.50) [21], diathermy (SMD 1.12, 95% CI: 0.05 to 2.18) [23], diathermy and ice (SMD 1.16, 95% CI: 0.12 to 2.20) [23] and heel raise exercises (SMD 0.70, 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.37) [21] were also found to be associated with greater increases in ankle dorsiflexion when compared to controls. In contrast, 12 studies showed no significant differences in ankle joint dorsiflexion between the stretching and comparison groups (SMDs: range −0.84 to 1.19) [1,5,6,14,18,19,22,25],[27,29,31,32]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The longest study period was eight weeks [5,6,12] and fewer than half of the included studies followed up their study participants for longer than four weeks. Due to the relative brevity of study periods, it is difficult to ascertain for how long conservative treatments may remain effective.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A variety of interventions have been proposed to increase actual or functional dorsiflexion ROM at the ankle joint, including stretching, warm up and use of ultrasound [1-6,9,12-32]. Previous systematic reviews have investigated the effects of such interventions in increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion ROM in the context of ankle injuries [33] or neuromuscular disease [34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interventions for increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Young

Nix

Wholohan

et al. 2013

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

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BackgroundAnkle joint equinus, or restricted dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), has been linked to a range of pathologies of relevance to clinical practitioners. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of conservative interventions on ankle joint ROM in healthy individuals and athletic populations.MethodsKeyword searches of Embase, Medline, Cochrane and CINAHL databases were performed with the final search being run in August 2013. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they assessed the effect of a non-surgical intervention on ankle joint dorsiflexion in healthy populations. Studies were quality rated using a standard quality assessment scale. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and results were pooled where study methods were homogenous.ResultsTwenty-three studies met eligibility criteria, with a total of 734 study participants. Results suggest that there is some evidence to support the efficacy of static stretching alone (SMDs: range 0.70 to 1.69) and static stretching in combination with ultrasound (SMDs: range 0.91 to 0.95), diathermy (SMD 1.12), diathermy and ice (SMD 1.16), heel raise exercises (SMDs: range 0.70 to 0.77), superficial moist heat (SMDs: range 0.65 to 0.84) and warm up (SMD 0.87) in improving ankle joint dorsiflexion ROM.ConclusionsSome evidence exists to support the efficacy of stretching alone and stretching in combination with other therapies in increasing ankle joint ROM in healthy individuals. There is a paucity of quality evidence to support the efficacy of other non-surgical interventions, thus further research in this area is warranted.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interventions for increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Young

Nix

Wholohan

et al. 2013

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

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“…Gutierrez et al 15 found that individuals with chronic ankle instability demonstrated increased preparatory and reactive activation of the peroneal muscles in response to a supination event, suggesting an enhanced response to promote dynamic restraint. Macklin et al 49 demonstrated that runners with ankle-joint equinus had improved ankle-joint dorsiflexion after a triceps surae stretching program. Perhaps our participants had enhanced dynamic restraint or ankle range of motion and, therefore, were able to perform better in the in-line lunge.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injury History, Sex, and Performance on the Functional Movement Screen and Y Balance Test

Chimera

Smith

Warren

2015

Journal of Athletic Training

139

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Context Research is limited regarding the effects of injury or surgery history and sex on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Y Balance Test (YBT). Objective To determine if injury or surgery history or sex affected results on the FMS and YBT. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Athletic training facilities. Patients or Other Participants A total of 200 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female (n = 92; age = 20.0 ± 1.4 years, body mass index = 22.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2) and male (n = 108; age = 20.0 ± 1.5 years, body mass index = 27.0 ± 4.6 kg/m2) athletes were screened; 170 completed the FMS, and 190 completed the YBT. Intervention(s) A self-reported questionnaire identified injury or surgery history and sex. The FMS assessed movement during the patterns of deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, impingement-clearing test, straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, press-up clearing test, rotary stability, and posterior-rocking clearing test. The YBT assessed balance while participants reached in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Main Outcome Measure(s) The FMS composite score (CS; range, 0–21) and movement pattern score (range, 0–3), the YBT CS (% lower extremity length), and YBT anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral asymmetry (difference between limbs in centimeters). Independent-samples t tests established differences in mean FMS CS, YBT CS, and YBT asymmetry. The Mann-Whitney U test identified differences in FMS movement patterns. Results We found lower overall FMS CSs for the following injuries or surgeries: hip (injured = 12.7 ± 3.1, uninjured = 14.4 ± 2.3; P = .005), elbow (injured = 12.1 ± 2.8, uninjured = 14.3 ± 2.4; P = .02), and hand (injured = 12.3 ± 2.9, uninjured = 14.3 ± 2.3; P = .006) injuries and shoulder surgery (surgery = 12.0 ± 1.0, no surgery = 14.3 ± 2.4; P < .001). We observed worse FMS movement pattern performance for knee surgery (rotary stability: P = .03), hip injury (deep squat and hurdle: P < .042 for both), hip surgery (hurdle and lunge: P < .01 for both), shoulder injury (shoulder and hand injury: P < .02 for both), and shoulder surgery (shoulder: P < .02). We found better FMS movement pattern performance for trunk/back injury (deep squat: P = .02) and ankle injury (lunge: P = .01). Female athletes performed worse in FMS movement patterns for trunk (P < .001) and rotary (P = .01) stability but better in the lunge (P = .008), shoulder mobility (P < .001), and straight-leg raise (P < .001). Anterior asymmetry was greater for male athletes (P = .02). Conclusions Injury history and sex affected FMS and YBT performance. Researchers should consider adjusting for confounders.

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“…It is indicated primarily in individuals who experience symptoms from biomechanical overload caused by an equinus ankle resulting from a tight superficial posterior compartment musculature that restricts ankle dorsiflexion[1]. Gastrocnemius contracture may result in an ankle equinus deformity which in turn alters the foot biomechanics and increases forefoot pressures[2]. Gastrocnemius contracture has been implicated as the cause of a variety of foot and ankle pathologies including metatarsalgia[3], diabetic foot ulcer[4], pes planus deformity[5], hallux valgus[6] and plantar fasciitis[7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return to physical activity after gastrocnemius recession

Ying¹,

Hong²,

Lee³

et al. 2016

WJO

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AIMTo prospectively investigate the time taken and patients’ ability to resume preoperative level of physical activity after gastrocnemius recession.METHODSEndoscopic gastrocnemius recession (EGR) was performed on 48 feet in 46 consecutive sportspersons, with a minimum follow-up of 24 mo. The Halasi Ankle Activity Score was used to quantify the level of physical activity. Time taken to return to work and physical activity was recorded. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the short form 36 (SF-36), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot score and modified Olerud and Molander (O and M) scores respectively. Patient’s satisfaction and pain experienced were assessed using a modified Likert scale and visual analogue scales. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTSNinety-one percent (n = 42) of all patients returned to their preoperative level of physical activity after EGR. The mean time for return to physical activity was 7.5 (2-24) mo. Ninety-eight percent (n = 45) of all patients were able to return to their preoperative employment status, with a mean time of 3.6 (1-12) mo. Ninety-six percent (n = 23) of all patients with an activity score > 2 were able to resume their preoperative level of physical activity in mean time of 8.8 mo, as compared to 86% (n = 19) of patients whose activity score was ≤ 2, with mean time of 6.1 mo. Significant improvements were noted in SF-36, AOFAS hindfoot and modified O and M scores. Ninety percent of all patients rated good or very good outcomes on the Likert scale.CONCLUSIONThe majority of patients were able to return to their pre-operative level of sporting activity after EGR.

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The effect of calf muscle stretching exercises on ankle joint dorsiflexion and dynamic foot pressures, force and related temporal parameters

Abstract: The calf stretching programme used in this study was found to increase ankle joint dorsiflexion and hence can be used for first line conservative management of ankle equinus.

Cited by 30 publications

References 31 publications

Interventions for increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Interventions for increasing ankle joint dorsiflexion: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Injury History, Sex, and Performance on the Functional Movement Screen and Y Balance Test

Return to physical activity after gastrocnemius recession

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