• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2019

Purpose: The spasticity of stroke patients decreases the ankle range of motion and increases the gastrocnemius muscle tone. This study examined the effects of stretching exercise and far infrared irradiation on the ankle function in stroke patients with spasticity. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 stroke patients admitted to Jesaeng General Hospital, who were divided into a study group (stretching exercise with far infrared) and control group (stretching exercise only). The dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using a smartphone and the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a Myoton pro. Results: With the exception of the non-paretic gastrocnemius muscle tone in the control group, the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness decreased significantly in both groups. In both groups, the dorsiflexion range of motion increased significantly. In addition, the experimental group had a significantly higher dorsiflexion range of motion than the control group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness. Conclusion: For stroke patients with spasticity, stretching exercises increased the ankle's range of motion and decreased the gastrocnemius muscle tone. The addition of heat therapy further increased the ankle's range of motion. On the other hand, as the sample size was small, future studies should include more subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of performing gastrocnemius stretching with and without the self-myofascial release of the sole on the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and muscle tone of the gastrocnemius muscle in subjects with short gastrocnemius muscle. METHOD: A total of 23 subjects with short gastrocnemius muscles were included in this study. The study participants were divided into two experimental groups. Group A performed gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises only, while group B performed self-myofascial release of the sole using a massage ball after the gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises. For both groups, the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured using a goniometer, and the tone of the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using the MyotonPRO®. RESULTS: Within-group comparison showed that the participants in both groups A and B had significantly increased active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and decreased gastrocnemius muscle tone (p < .05) after performing their respective exercises. However, no significant differences in the said criteria were observed between groups A and B (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both methods were effective in increasing active and passive dorsiflexion angles and decreasing muscle tone. Thus, it is recommended to tailor gastrocnemius stretching exercises according to the patient's condition. If the patient does not experience discomfort in the plantar fasciae, it is recommended to perform the gastrocnemius stretching exercise only without myofascial release and use a massage ball afterward.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the elastic compression stockings and Kinesio taping on muscle activity and mechanical properties in healthy women during the heel raise exercise that causes muscle fatigue. Methods: Participants were divided into the elastic compression stockings group (ESG, n=8), Kinesio taping group (KTG, n=8), and control group (CG, n=8). All participants performed the heel raise exercise to cause muscle fatigue. Muscle activity, stiffness, and the muscle tone of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were measured before and after the heel raise exercise. Results: In the gastrocnemius, muscle activity was significantly increased after the heel raise exercise in both the ESG and KTG (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the change in the gastrocnemius muscle activity between the groups (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis showed that the ESG exhibited a significantly greater change in gastrocnemius muscle activity than the CG (p<0.05). The muscle stiffness of the gastrocnemius was significantly decreased after the heel raise exercise in the ESG (p<0.05). The muscle tone of the gastrocnemius was significantly increased after the heel raise exercise in the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the change in the gastrocnemius stiffness and muscle tone between the groups (p>0.05). In the tibialis anterior, there were no significant differences in muscle activity, stiffness, and muscle tone between and within the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the use of elastic compression stockings and Kinesio taping during the heel raise exercise are beneficial and delay muscle fatigue in the gastrocnemius.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1486-1489
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the influence of walking on crural muscle tone and stiffness in individuals with bilateral pronated foot. This study consisted of 16 healthy male. Subjects were divided into a pronated foot group (n = 8) and a normal foot group (n = 8). The navicular drop test on both foot and muscle tone and stiffness in tibialis anterior muscle, medial gastrocnemius muscle, and peroneus longus muscle of both lower extremities were measured before and after 30 min of walking. In this study, the measured navicular drop test before walking was significantly different between pronated foot group and a normal group(p < .05). After 30 min of walking, significantly, increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness of the non-dominant leg was found in the pronated foot group (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness between the two groups (p > .05). Based on this study, pronated foot needs to be managed to prevent the abnormally increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the impact of exercise with that of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on muscle tone, calf muscle stiffness, and balance ability in patients with stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into an FES group (n=15) and a TENS group (n=15), and a progressive task-oriented exercise was assigned to them. These exercises were performed non-synchronously from December 5, 2016 to January 31, 2017. Patients underwent TENS and simultaneously exercised for 30 minutes daily, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. To determine the effect of the interventions, muscle tone and stiffness of the medial and lateral region of gastrocnemius muscle were measured using the MyotonPRO instrument and balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. RESULTS: Both groups revealed a significant decrease in muscle tone and stiffness of the medial part of gastrocnemius muscle before and after the interventions (p<.05). Berg Balance Scale scores increased significantly (p<.05). However, none of the other parameters were significantly different (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Our results prove that progressive task-oriented exercise along with FES and TENS decreases muscle tone and stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with stroke and improves balance. TENS could serve as a complementary replacement for functional electrical stimulation for in-house training, as TENS poses less risk of muscle fatigue and has lesser contraindications than does functional electrical stimulation.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison between the walking speed and muscle tone of the lower extremity in male and female. Method: The experimental group was that 22 female and 24 male that participated this study. Subjects were measured walking speed and muscle tone. Muscle tone measured using myotonometer. Measured muscle were rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinousus, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius. Result: The result of this study were that the walking speed were significantly significant(p<.01) in male and female. Muscle tone different in male and female that vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius significantly significant(p<.05). Conclusion: This study showed that difference muscle tone and walking speed in male and female. This indicates that there is an interaction that plays a crucial roles in the walking speed and muscle tone.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric training applied to the calf muscles on muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait variables in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-two participants were divided into experimental (n=12; eccentric training) and control (n=10; static stretching and stretching board) groups. The participants completed 30-minute physical therapy sessions five times a week for three weeks. Calf muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait variables were measured using MyotonPRO, a hand-held dynamometer, and Optogait, respectively, before and after each intervention. Results: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a significant interaction effect between measurement points and groups in frequency, stiffness, and decrement of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (p<.05). Paired t-tests showed that the experimental group exhibited significantly decreased frequency and stiffness scores for the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (p<.05), as well as significantly increased decrement and muscle strength scores, gait speed, step length, and stride length (p<.05). Conclusion: The application of eccentric training to the calf effectively reduced muscle tone, increased muscle strength, and improved the gait speed, step length, and stride length of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1695-1699
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• 2019

Background : Although plank exercises is reported to the changes in muscle activity of the deep muscles and superficial muscles among the core muscles. However, no study has examined the effects of forearm plank exercise on tone and stiffness in the superficial back line muscle. Objective: To compare the effects of sling forearm plank exercises and mat forearm plank exercises on the superficial back line muscle tone and stiffness. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods: The subjects were randomized to sling forearm plank exercise group (N = 8) or mat forearm plank exercise group (N = 8). The measurements were taken for each research group following exercises: the muscle tone and stiffness of upper lumbar muscles, lower lumbar muscles, long head of biceps femoris, and medial part of gastrocnemius among the superficial back line muscles. Results: Sling forearm plank exercise group Indicated statistically significant increases in stiffness of medial part of gastrocnemius (p<.05). However, mat forearm plank exercise group reported no statistically significant in muscle tone and stiffness of all measured muscles. No significant differences in measured variables were found between the groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that the forearm plank exercise performed with an unstable surface in the defined sling can increase the stiffness of calf muscle, but it is unlikely to achieve increases in muscle tone and stiffness of the overall superficial back line muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the immediate effects of Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (GIASTM) and self-stretching on the muscular properties of the gastrocnemius in athletes. METHODS: Thirty subjects (All in their 20 s) were distributed randomly and evenly into two groups of 15 each: GIASTM and stretching. The subjects had no history of gastrocnemius damage in the previous three months. The muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity, and mechanical stress relaxation time (MSRT) of the gastrocnemius were blind-tested. RESULTS: The GIASTM group showed significant changes in all categories, while only MSRT changed significantly in the self-stretching group after intervention. A comparison of the two groups revealed significant differences in stiffness, elasticity, and MSRT (Time required for the muscle to recover after distortion after intervention in the GIASTM group. CONCLUSION: In this study, significant decreases in muscle tone and stiffness, as well as significant increases in elasticity, were observed in the gastrocnemius of the GIASTM group. On the other hand, sSelf-stretching showed significant differences in MSRT. Therefore, GIASTM is more effective in the recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle from fatigue than self-stretching. This study suggests that GIASTM can help prevent damage to the gastrocnemius in athletes and contribute to their training and rehabilitation programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2019

Purpose: In chronic stroke patients, muscle tone and stiffness increase due to ankle spasticity. Electrotherapy may control the spasticity of patients with central nerve system damage via neurophysiological mechanisms. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the immediate effects of interferential current therapy on gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle. Methods: This study was a one-group pretest-posttest design and 20 stroke patients participated. The experimental group underwent interferential current therapy for GCM for 30 minutes. Muscle tone (MT) and stiffness were assessed using MYOTONE(R) PRO. After 30 minutes of interferential current therapy, MT and stiffness of the affected side and unaffected side by GCM were measured. Results: After interferential current therapy, the medial GCM MT (Hz) was significantly reduced in stroke patients. There was a significant difference in MT between affected GCM muscles and unaffected side medial GCM muscles before intervention, but there was no significant difference after interferential current therapy. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that interferential current therapy had a positive effect, producing an immediate decrease in the medial GCM muscles tone of stroke patients. However, this study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design. Future studies will show differences in muscle tone compared to a control group or other electrical stimulation treatments.