Alternative to stretching the calf muscles when tight

NewsBot · Dec 2, 2017

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Increasing Calcaneal Plantar Flexion as a Method to Improve Weight Bearing Leg Dorsiflexion
Gabriella Lynn vonGaza
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
University of Alberta 2017

Previous research on foot and ankle mechanics has shown that weight bearing leg dorsiflexion
range of motion is positively correlated to calcaneal plantar flexion. The gastrocnemius muscle
promotes while the plantar aponeurosis and plantar intrinsic muscles restrict calcaneal plantar
flexion. Thus, reducing plantar aponeurosis and plantar intrinsic muscle tension while increasing
gastrocnemius strength may improve weight bearing leg dorsiflexion range of motion. Twentyseven
participants with poor (< 25°) leg dorsiflexion were enrolled and randomly assigned to one
of two six-week intervention groups. Group 1 (n = 14) performed self-massage and stretching of
the plantar aponeurosis and plantar intrinsic muscles three days per week. Group 2 (n = 13)
performed the same self-massage and stretching in addition to a modified glute-ham-gastroc
raise exercise. The weight bearing lunge, the standard assessment for leg dorsiflexion, was
assessed before and after the intervention. Additionally, force platforms and three-dimensional
motion analysis were used to examine lower extremity kinetics and kinematics during a partial
squat exercise, with ankle net joint moments, peak leg dorsiflexion and calcaneal plantar flexion
being the primary movements of interest. In the weight bearing lunge, Group 1 improved their
leg dorsiflexion by 3.7 ± 2.9° (Effect Size (ES) = 1.16) in the left and 4.2 ± 3.2° (ES = 1.25) in
the right. Group 2 experienced greater increases in the left of 4.9 ± 4.4° (ES = 1.80) and 6.4 ±
3.7° for the right (ES = 1.51). In the partial squat, leg dorsiflexion increased -0.6 ± 3.2° for the
left (ES = 0.15) and -1.0 ± 2.6° for the right (ES = 0.24) in Group 1, and -2.3 ± 4.2° for the left
(ES = 0.55) and -2.1 ± 3.2° for the right (ES = 0.59) in Group 2. There were small increases in
calcaneal plantar flexion where Group 1 increased -0.7 ± 2.6° in the left (ES = 0.25) and -0.2 ±
2.7° in the right (ES = 0.08), whereas Group 2 increased -0.3 ± 3.2° in the left (ES = 0.15) and -
2.7 ± 6.2° in the right (ES = 0.64). These results suggest that plantar aponeurosis and plantar
intrinsic muscle self-massage and stretching in combination with modified glute-ham-gastroc
raise exercise could be an alternative to calf stretching to improve weight bearing leg
dorsiflexion range of motion.
Click to expand...

WillMo · Feb 25, 2018

I haven't had time to read into the study yet, but this is an interesting idea.... I'd like to see a more powerful study on it ideally. Might have to start experimenting with it clinically

Stanley · Mar 4, 2018

Increasing pronation of the foot increases total dorsiflexion. I thought we all know that one of the compensations for equinus is pronation.

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