Clinical trial NCT06371547: Efficiency of Different Gastrocnemius Stretching Exercises
Official title: Efficiency of Different Types of Stretching Exercises on Gastrocnemius Tightness
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Muscle Tightness
Keywords: pain threshold
elasticity
Lead sponsor: Bitlis Eren University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-04-17
Enrollment: 48
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 25
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different types and durations of gastrocnemius stretching on the viscoelastic properties of the gastrocnemius muscle, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia.In addition, pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle and plantar fascia, as well as on hamstring tightness will be measured.

Detailed description: The study will include a total of at least 48 individuals who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for gastrocnemius stretching exercises of different durations and types. Participants in Group I will perform sustained stretching with a towel, those in Group II will perform intermittent stretching with a towel, those in Group III will perform sustained stretching against the wall, and those in Group IV will perform intermittent stretching against the wall. The stretching exercises will be performed under the supervision of one of the researcher. Compliance with the stretching exercise will be evaluated by keeping a daily log.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age of 18 to 25 years
* Having a gastrocnemius muscle tightness in the dominant side

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of lower extremity surgery or trauma
* Diagnosis of fibromyalgia, neurological disease, achilles tendinopathy, metatarsalgia, acute ankle sprain, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or heel pad syndrome
* Having received physiotherapy related to the lower extremities within the last six months
* A body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2
* Having received a local steroid injection within the last six weeks
* The presence of a local infection
* The presence of rheumatic or other systemic inflammatory diseases
* Diabetes or other metabolic diseases
* Nerve compression syndrome
* Currently using painkillers
* Diagnosis of neurological heel pain
* A positive navicular drop test result
* Having engaged in strenuous exercise within the last 24 hours
* Not being fully compliant with the exercise program

Primary outcomes:
measure: Measurement of the Viscoelastic Properties
timeFrame: Change from baseline viscoelastic properties at seventh and fourteen day
measure: Ankle-foot Dorsiflexion Index
timeFrame: Change from baseline ankle dorsiflexion range of motion at seventh and fourteen day
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Measurement of the Mechanosensitivity
timeFrame: Change from baseline pain at seventh and fourteen day
measure: Assessment of Hamstring Tightness
timeFrame: Change from baseline hamstring tightness at seventh and fourteen day
Other outcomes:
measure: Dominant Leg Determination
timeFrame: At the baseline
measure: Navicular Drop Test
timeFrame: At the baseline
measure: Self-reported Effects of Stretching Exercises
timeFrame: Change from baseline self-reported effects of stretching exercises at seventh and fourteen day
measure: The Satisfaction Level with the Stretching
timeFrame: Change from baseline at seventh and fourteen day
measure: Compliance with Stretching Exercise Program
timeFrame: Change from baseline at fourteen day
Locations:
city: Bitlis
country: Turkey
facility: Bitlis Eren University
state: Merkez
Study officials:
affiliation: Bitlis Eren University
name: Ömer Dursun, Asst. Prof.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Bitlis Eren University
name: Erhan Dincer, M.Sc.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Bitlis Eren University
name: Cihan Önen, Asst. Prof.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Bitlis Eren University
name: Abdurrahman Tanhan, Ph.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
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