Physical Therapy Korea (한국전문물리치료학회지)

Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy (한국전문물리치료학회)
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Focal Muscle Vibration Changes the Architecture of the Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle in Persons With Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion

  • Moon, Il-Young (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Lim, Jin-Seok (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Park, Il-Woo (Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Yi, Chung-Hwi (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University)
  • Received : 2021.12.31
  • Accepted : 2022.01.19
  • Published : 2022.02.20
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Abstract

Background: The gastrocnemius tightness can easily occur. Gastrocnemius tightness results in gait disturbance. Thus, various interventions have been used to release a tight gastrocnemius muscle and improve gait performance. Moreover, focal muscle vibration (FMV) has recently been extensively researched in terms of tight muscle release and muscle performance. However, no study has investigated the effects of FMV application on medial gastrocnemius architectural changes. Objects: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of FMV on medial gastrocnemius architecture in persons with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Thirty one persons with <10° of passive ankle dorsiflexion participated in this study. We excluded persons with acute ankle injury within six months prior to study onset, a history of ankle fracture, leg length discrepancy greater than 2 cm, no history of neurological dysfunction, or trauma affecting the lower limb. The specifications of the FMV motor were as follows: a fixed frequency (fast wave: 150 Hz) and low amplitude (0.3-0.5 mm peak to peak) of vibration; the motor was used to release the medial gastrocnemius for 15 minutes. Each participant completed three trials for 10 days; a 30-second rest period was provided between each trial. Medial gastrocnemius architectural parameters [muscle thickness (MT), fiber bundle length (FBL), and pennation angle (PA)] were measured via ultrasonography. Results: MT significantly decreased after FMV application (p < 0.05). FBL significantly increased from its baseline value after FMV application (p < 0.05). PA significantly decreased from its baseline value after FMV application (p < 0.05). Conclusion: FMV application may be advantageous in reducing medial gastrocnemius excitability following a decrease in the amount of contractile tissue. Furthermore, FMV application can be used as a stretching method to alter medial gastrocnemius architecture.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the "Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project", the Korean Research Foundation for Department of Physical Therapy in the Graduate School of Yonsei University.

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