• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.12
• /
• pp.8684-8690
• /
• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the influence of the ankle dorsiflexion angle ($0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$) on the effectiveness of gastrocnemius stretching angle. The subjects of this study were 25 young man and female women. In all participants, the pennation angle of the medial head of the gastrocnemius was evaluated using ultrasonography at an ankle dorsiflexion angle of $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, or $20^{\circ}$. Repeated measures analysis of variance was uesd to test for differences between ankle dorsiflexion angles. The independent t-test was performed to determine the significance of sex differences. The results of this study showed that the gastrocnemius pennation angle decreased as the ankle dorsiflexion angle increased, with significant interaction between each angle of ankle dorsiflexion angle (p<0.01). Sex comparison showed that the pennation angle was greater in man than in women, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). According to the sex the gastrocnemius pennation angle is decreased as the ankle dorsiflexion angle increased (p<0.01). These results suggest that the end range of dorsiflexion is more beneficial for gastrocnemius stretching than a small range. Further studies are needed to investigate the influence of other factors, such as stretching angle and application time, on gastrocnemius stretching.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2015

Objective: Jump training helps increase the muscle power by improving the muscle strength and reaction time of the muscle in operation. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of strengthening, stretching exercise and meditation on electromyographic (EMG) onset timing of rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscle during vertical jump performance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten healthy adults (5 male and 5 female) who were familiar with the vertical jumping task and had no lower extremity injuries or any bone or joint disorders, were recruited for this study. Muscle onset timing was measured by surface EMG. After EMG onset timing were measured during performing three baseline vertical jump trials, strengthening and stretching exercises of the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius, and meditation were performed in random order. EMG onset timing was measured during vertical jump after intervention, respectively. EMG value was averaged for the three trials and analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA. Results: During vertical jump, EMG onset timing of gastrocnemius was a significant difference after intervention (p<0.05), and then there was significantly faster in strengthening exercise than meditation (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate the potential positive effect of performing strengthening exercise of the gastrocnemius before a jumping event. Future research is required to identify the effects of intervention over a long period.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.48-53
• /
• 2022

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.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.113-128
• /
• 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
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.2212-2220
• /
• 2020

Background: Repetitive damage to the ankle joint causes chronic ankle instability, and studies comparing the effects of exercise in open and closed chains as a treatment method are very rare. Objectives: To investigate the effects of open and closed kinetic exercises on muscle activity and dynamic balance of ankle joint in adults with chronic ankle instability. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: The selected 30 subjects are randomly divided into open kinetic chain exercise experimental group (EGI, n=10), closed kinetic chain exercise experimental group (EGII, n=10), and stretching control group (CG, n=10). Open and closed kinetic exercises lasted 30 minutes three times a week for six weeks and stretching exercises performed four actions for 20 seconds and five sets. The measurement tools using surface electromyography to measure muscle activity in the ankle joint. The dynamic balance of the ankle was evaluated using the Y-Balance test. Results: Following the intervention, closed and open kinetic chain exercise group showed significant difference in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle activity and dynamic balance (P<.05). However, no significant difference in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle activity and dynamic balance between closed and open kinetic chain exercise group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that closed and open kinetic chain exercise can be presented as an effective exercise for the muscle activity of ankle muscle and dynamic balance of the subject with chronic ankle instability.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.11 no.8
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to provide a foundation for the methods of stretching in sports activities. The subjects were normal adults, the applied exercise was dynamic and static stretching and the research methods were measuring the jump height and muscle activity during jumping with subsequent data comparison and analysis. Twenty normal adults were randomly divided into 2 groups, and each group performed dynamic or static stretching. Jump height and the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscle activities were measured during jumping, which was performed immediately before and after stretching. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of covariance. The results indicated that dynamic stretching was more effective than static stretching with respect to both jump height (p<.05) and muscle activity of the vastus lateralis (p<.05). Consequently, it was believed that dynamic stretching should be applied as a warm-up exercise for athletes who need to build and maintain high muscle strength.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2020

Background: This study was conducted to compare the effects of an incline board, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, and joint mobilization on the dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and muscle tone of the plantar flexor and ankle in stroke patients. Methods: Forty-five stroke subjects were randomly divided into three groups: each JMG (Joint Mobilization Group), IBG (Inclined Board Group) and PSG (PNF Stretching Group). The experiment was performed for eight weeks between August 1 and October 31, 2018. Results: The dorsiflexion of the ankle joint was significant between the groups and by period (p<.05). JMG had a significant change by period (p<.05). Differences between groups by period increased after 8 weeks in the PSG and the JMG (p>.05). The gastrocnemius lateral muscle tone was significant between the groups (p<.05), and medial muscle tone was interacted between groups and time (p<.05). Conclusion: An effective intervention method to increase the dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and decrease the muscle tone when performing PNF stretching, and joint mobilization in stroke patients was confirmed. Future studies are recommended to variety research of PNF stretching and joint mobilization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.447-454
• /
• 2014

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inclination treadmill training with dynamic stretching on the spasticity and gait of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty two subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n=11) or a control group (CG, n=11). Both groups participated in a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the EG participated in inclination treadmill training for 20 min per day, five times per week, for 4 weeks, and the CG participated in treadmill walking training for 20 min per day, five times per week, for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements, recorded before and post intervention. Walking ability was measured using the 10m walking test (10MWT) and Timed up and go (TUG) test. Spasticity of the medialis gastrocnemius was measured using a myotonometer. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed the both groups for walking ability and spasticity after the training program. The results of the study were follows: 10MWT and TUG was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after intervention (p<0.05). Spasticity was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that inclination treadmill training improves gait ability and reduces spasticity of the medialis gastrocnemius. Inclination treadmill training may be used as an easy, effective and accessible way to improve the walking ability and decrease spasticity in stroke patients. Further studies are necessary to generalize the findings of this study.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.53-65
• /
• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and analyse the change on muscular strength and exercise performance ability of university students participating in leisure sports by elastic-band exercise program. Method : The subjects(N=22) participating in leisure sports are recruited from K university located in Chungbuk. The subjects which are divided to 2 groups as experimental group(N=11) conducted elastic-band exercise program and control group(N=11) conducted stretching program. The muscular strength and exercise performance ability were measured before and after intervention. Result : There were no significant differences(p>.05) in sex, age, height, and weight among subjects. In the measurement of muscular strength, a significant difference(p<.05) was observed in each group, and there was also significant difference(p<.05) between two groups except gastrocnemius(p>.05). A significant difference(p<.05) in muscular volume was observed in each group, and there was also significant difference(p<.05) between two groups apart from gastrocnemius(p>.05). In exercise performance ability, there was significant difference(p<.05) in sergent jump and side-step in each group, and there was a significant difference(p<.05) between two groups in sergent jump, but there was no significant difference(p>0.5) in side-step. Conclusion : Based on this study, through a variety of age and various intervention period to apply more subjects conducting elastic-band exercise program should continue.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.153-162
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in the dynamic balance and leg muscle activity of adults in their 20s with or without shoes. Methods: In this study, seven male and 11 female university students in their 20s were randomized to determine the order of being with or without shoes, and the dominant foot was supported on the central platform of dynamic balance according to the order procedure. Using the opposite foot, the distance of leg stretching in the anterior, posterior medial, and posterior lateral directions and the muscle activity of the supporting leg were measured. Muscle activity measurement sites were attached to the dominant vastus medialis oblique muscle, vastus lateral oblique muscle, tibialis anterior muscle, peroneus longus muscle, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: As a result of this study, the distance of leg stretching was significantly increased in the anterior, posterior medial, and posterior lateral directions when barefoot rather than when wearing shoes (p < 0.05). The muscle activity of the vastus medial and lateral oblique muscles was significantly increased in all three directions when barefoot rather than when wearing shoes (p < 0.05). The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior was significantly increased in the anterior direction when barefoot (p < 0.05), the peroneus longus muscle was significantly increased when it was barefoot in the posterior medial direction (p < 0.05), and the lateral gastrocnemius muscle activity significantly increased when barefoot in the posterior direction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The movement of the legs is freed when barefoot as compared to when wearing shoes, and being barefoot can effectively activate muscle activity and improve balance ability.