Clinical trial NCT06626698: Electrical Stimulation vs. Static Stretching in the Leg Muscles
Official title: Effect of Electrical Muscle Elongation vs. Static Stretching in the Leg Muscles Contracture
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Muscle Fatigue
Keywords: Achilles tendon
gastrocnemius muscle
electric stimulation
static stretching
articular Range of Motion
randomized Clinical trial
Longitudinal
muscle shortening
Session duration
Comparision group
Electric muscle elongation
triceps surae
Lead sponsor: University of Seville
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-10-04
Enrollment: 50
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 25
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The retraction of the posterior leg muscles consists of a shortening of the muscle fibers that limits ankle dorsiflexion. The objective of this randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) with a double-blind technique and longitudinal chronology is to evaluate the short-term effect of electrostimulation associated with muscle stretching (electrical muscle elongation technique or EME) compared to static stretching in adult subjects with shortening of the posterior leg muscles.

The main questions it seeks to answer are:

* Are there significant differences in the short-term effect of electrical muscle elongation versus static stretching exercises on the gastrocnemius complex and Achilles tendon in young adults?
* Does the ankle\&#39;s range of motion increase in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions?
* Does muscle strength increase in ankle plantar flexion?

The researchers will compare the group receiving electrical muscle elongation with interferential current to the group receiving passive static stretching to assess whether there are significant differences in the effects on the ankle\&#39;s range of motion and the muscle strength of the posterior leg muscles.

Participants in this study will perform the following tasks:

* Receive a session of electrical muscle elongation with TENS and static stretching performed by the researcher.
* Follow the instructions during the intervention.
* Undergo evaluations of ankle range of motion and plantar flexor muscle strength
* Record their level of satisfaction after the study.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects affiliated with or related to the University of Seville.
* Those with muscular shortening of the posterior chain of the limb.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects who engage in sports activity above the average of the sample or who follow an organized stretching program for the posterior leg muscles.
* Hyperlaxity
* History of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular injuries, joint disease, surgery on the lower leg, or serious illness.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Evaluation of the ankle range motion
timeFrame: Through study completion, an average of 2 weeks.
measure: leg muscular force
timeFrame: Through study completion, an average of 2 weeks.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Patient Global Impression of Improvement cuestionarie
timeFrame: At the end of the study, an average of 2 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Seville
country: Spain
facility: Área Clínica de Podología
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Seville
name: Aurora Castro PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Mizuno T. Combined Effects of Static Stretching and Electrical Stimulation on Joint Range of Motion and Muscle Strength. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Oct;33(10):2694-2703. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002260.
citation: Espejo-Antunez L, Lopez-Minarro PA, Garrido-Ardila EM, Castillo-Lozano R, Dominguez-Vera P, Maya-Martin J, Albornoz-Cabello M. A comparison of acute effects between Kinesio tape and electrical muscle elongation in hamstring extensibility. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015;28(1):93-100. doi: 10.3233/BMR-140496.
citation: Espejo-Antúnez L, López-Miñarro PA, Albornoz-Cabello M, Garrido-Ardila EM. Acute effect of electrical muscle elongation and static stretching in hamstring muscle extensibility. Science &amp; Sports. 1 de febrero de 2016;31(1):e1-7.
citation: Espejo Antúnez L, Maya Martín J, Cardero Durán MA, Albornoz Cabello M. Aumento de la extensibilidad isquiotibial tras aplicar elongación muscular eléctrica. Fisioterapia. 1 de mayo de 2012;34(3):112-7.