• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.245-249
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of local vibration using a massage gun on the triceps surae flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to static stretching in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were instructed in this study. They were allocated randomly to two groups: local vibration (LV) and static stretching (SS). The ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured before and after the intervention in supine (open kinetic chain, OKC) and standing (closed kinetic chain, CKC). The LV group received local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on their triceps surae, and the SS group stood on the Q board with a dorsiflexed ankle for five minutes. The ROM between pre- and post-intervention and the change in ROM between two groups were analyzed. A paired t-test was used to compare the ROM between pre- and post-intervention, while an independent t-test was used to compare the change in ROM between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention in the position of both the OKC and CKC. The change in ROM, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on the triceps surae could improve its flexibility as much as the application of static stretching. A massage gun for the application of a local vibration stimulus may be effective, simple, portable, and comfortable.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heel raising with kinesio taping (HRKT) on triceps surae muscle activity and balance in 20s adults. Design: Two groups pre-post randomized controlled design. Methods: The total of 40 subjects were randomly divided in the HRKT group (experimental group, n=21) and heel raising with sham kinesio taping (control group, n=19). Both groups receive heel raising with kinesio taping and sham kinesio taping for 20 minutes a day, five day per week, for four weeks. Measurement were performed before training and 4 weeks after training. The triceps surae muscle activity was measured using the EMG. A functional reach test (FRT) was used to evaluate balance ability. The independent t-test was conducted to compare exercise methods depending on the taping effect on each group. Results: The both group showed significant differences in muscle activity of lower extremity and functional reach test in the pre-post intervention comparison (p<0.05). The experimental group showed significantly more improvement in triceps surae muscle activity and functional reach test compared to the control group(p<0.05). Conclusion: We confirmed that the effects of heel-raising with kinesio taping group on triceps surae muscle activity and balance ability in 20s adults. The result suggest that heel raising with kinesio taping for 20s adults should be further studied and considered.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare muscle structure, balance, and gait parameters between healthy adults and persons with stroke and to analyze the correlation among these variables. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty persons with stroke (11 male, 9 female) and twenty healthy participants (9 male, 11 female) were included. Ultrasound images of the triceps surae and the tibialis anterior were acquired in sitting resting, sitting co-contraction, and standing resting positions and also during the functional reach test (FRT) and single leg anterior reaching test (SLART). Muscle thickness and fascicle length were measured. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured using a pressure walkway. Gait speed, cadence, step length, stride length, stance time, and swing time were measured. Results: Changes in percent fascicle length were significantly greater in the gastrocnemius and soleus (SOL) muscles of healthy adults in the sitting co-contraction position (p<0.05). The percent fascicle length of the SOL in FRT and SLART were significantly greater in healthy adults (p<0.05). The mid-stance phase of stroke patients was shorter than healthy adults (p<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between percent fascicle length of the SOL in the sitting co-contraction position and the proportion of the mid-stance phase (p<0.05). Conclusions: The function of the triceps surae is affected in persons with stroke when compared with healthy adults. This can lead to difficulty in performing tasks that involve forward transfer of weight. If the triceps surae is not sufficiently secured, the possibility of compensation in the stance phase increases during gait.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.5789-5796
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• 2011

This study examined the effect of VT(Vibration Training) on the symptoms of DOMS (Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness) before induced by eccentric exercise of the left leg triceps surae. Twenty one healthy adult men and women who had not participated in a regular exercise program for the lower extremities were assigned to one of two experimental groups: vibration training group, Control group. We measured the VAS(Visual Analogue Scale), ankle plantar flexor strength, triceps surae circumference, CK(Creatine Kinase) before and after exercise and 24, 48 and 72 hours after eccentric exercise. After inducing DOMS, VAS showed significant differences between groups at a point of time 48 hours, and showed significant differences within groups in accordance with the time of measurement(p<.05). Plantar flexor strength of groups with VT did not show significant difference between groups but, showed significant differences within groups in accordance with the time of measurement(p<.05). Triceps surae circumference of groups with VT did not show significant difference between groups but, showed significant differences within groups in accordance with the time of measurement(p<.05). CK of groups with VT did not show significant difference between groups but, showed significant differences within groups in accordance with the time of measurement(p<.05). As a result of the study, VT prior to eccentric exercise is effective to inhibit pain. So, this method can be suggested to prevent DOMS in doing an unfamiliar activites.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2018

This study was conducted to examine changes in the muscle activity of the triceps surae, specifically the gastrocnemius and the soleus, depending on the angle of the knee joint during the manual muscle test (MMT) of the plantar flexion of the ankle. The muscle activity of the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius was statistically significantly reduced when the angle of the knee joint was $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, and $45^{\circ}$ compared to when the angle was $0^{\circ}$. However, there was no statistically significant difference in muscle activity at the angles of $15^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ or $45^{\circ}$. There was no statistically significant difference in the muscle activity of the soleus depending on the angle of the knee joint. The ratio of the muscle activity of the soleus to that of the triceps surae showed a statistically significant increase when the angle was $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$ compared to when the angle was $0^{\circ}$. However, there was no statistically significant difference in muscle activity at the angles of $15^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ or $45^{\circ}$. When the angle of the knee joint was $15^{\circ}$ or higher during the test of the isolated soleus, the muscle activity of the gastrocnemius was reduced. These results indicate that the angle is suitable for the test of the isolated soleus, but there was no statistically significant difference in the muscle activity of the gastrocnemius when the angle was higher than $15^{\circ}$. Therefore, it can be concluded that the most suitable angle of the knee joint for the isolated MMT test of the soleus is $15^{\circ}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of triceps surae activation during heel raise test in standing among knee flexion angles($0^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$, $45^{\circ}C$, $60^{\circ}C$). METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals performed unilateral plantarflexion in standing with $0^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$, $45^{\circ}C$, $60^{\circ}C$ knee flexion. Activity of medial gastrocnemius(MG), lateral gastrocnemius(LG), soleus(Sol) was recorded with surface electromyography(EMG). RESULT: The muscle activations induced the four different positions were compared and results showed that was significant difference MG and LG while the angle increase from $0^{\circ}C$ to $30^{\circ}C$, $45^{\circ}C$, $60^{\circ}C$ but Sol did not show significant differences in every angle. CONCLUSION: This study suggest that $30^{\circ}C$ knee flexion is required to induce a significant mechanical disadvantage of gastrocnemius.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.487-497
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• 2002

The fatigue process of the triceps surae was evaluated during a standing heel-rise test, comparising of pre-fatigue and post-fatigue. Sixteen healthy subjects with a mean age of 22.88 years participated. The heel-rise test was performed until exhaustion, and electromyographic activity expressed as mean value and root mean square of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were calculated. The average number of heel-rise performed was 63.69$\pm$26.10. The result of this present study indicate that the EMG signal is sensitive to the different muscle fatigue. Mean value and RMS decreased significantly in after fatigue. Significant difference were found between the pre-fatigue and post-fatigue in the total subjects. But there were no significant changes in mean and RMS between the male and female during standing heel-rise test. The present results, showing decreased EMG signal in the triceps surae, could be used as reference when testing the fatigue process in different clinical conditions. Recommendations for standardization of a heel-rise test are given.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of trigger points(TrPs) on athletes with various sporting background. To achieve the purpose, a study was carried out through a survey from 180 athletes involved in 6 selected sports at Yong-In University. Selected sports included Judo, Taekwondo, Kendo, Ssi-reum(Korean traditional wrestling), Boxing, and Golf. An interview type survey and physical examination were conducted with each thirty athletes from each of the selected sports groups. Technical statistic(SPSS 15.0) was used to analyze the distribution of TrPs on these athletes. The most common TrPs observed in muscles of Trapezius, Quadratus Lumborum, Quadriceps in Judo. In Taekwondo, it was on the trapezius and triceps surae. Kendo athletes had TrPs at sites of trapezius, brachioradialis and triceps surae. Ssirem athletes were found to have TrPs on trapezius, deltoid and quadrates lumborum. In boxers, TrPs appearing at trapezius and brachioradialis were observed. Finally, Golf players were seen to have TrPs at trapezius, quadrates lumborum and brachioradialis. Hence, the analysis shows that there are significant differences of the distribution of TrPs according to the different sport items of the athlete.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Kinematic analysis of MTC (Muscle-Tendon Complex) units is a key indicator for diagnosis of patients with musculoskeletal disorders because the contracture or shortening of musculo-tendinous units is known to produce pathological gaits. Therefore, the principal objective of this study was to assess the length change in the triceps surae prior to and after wearing an AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthoses) in patients with musculoskeletal disorders during a gait. In this study, analyses were conducted using a Muscle Tendon Complex model coupled with the trajectory data from markers attached to anatomical landmarks. As a result, the maximum length change in the triceps surae during a gait was 4.87% when a barefoot walking group and a walking group with AFO were compared. In particular, the difference in length changes between both groups in Soleus MTC units was found to be statistically significant in all gait phases. Our results revealed that MTC length in the AFO walking group was clearly increased over that of the barefoot walking group. In the future, further studies will be required in order to more adequately assess musculoskeletal disorders using many cases studies with regard to agricultural working conditions because this study deals with the kinematic analysis of musculo-tendinous units in the case of clinical experiments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

PURPOSE: There are several standard interventions for managing Achilles tendinitis, including eccentric exercise and calf muscle stretches, orthoses, electrotherapy, and taping. However, no study has determined the effect of non-elastic taping on deloading the Achilles tendon while vertical jumping. Therefore, this study determined the effect of non-elastic taping on ankle dorsiflexion and the triceps surae muscle activity while vertical jumping in healthy subjects. METHODS: The study recruited 17 participants. A motion analysis system was used to measure the angle of ankle dorsiflexion and wireless surface electromyography was used to measure the soleus and gastrocnemius activities while vertical jumping. Non-elastic taping was applied on randomized leg side. All subjects performed maximal effort vertical jumps without and with non-elastic taping, with three trials for each condition. The mean peak dorsiflexion and muscle activities during the three trials were calculated and paired t-tests were used to compare the mean values without and with non-elastic taping. Significance was defined as (p<.05). RESULTS: The maximum angle of ankle dorsiflexion and activity of the gastrocnemius muscle decreased significantly when non-elastic tape was applied (p<.05), while there was no significant difference in the soleus activity between no-taping and taping (p>.05). CONCLUSION: We introduce non-elastic taping as a method to decrease maximum ankle dorsiflexion and gastrocnemius activity while vertical jumping.