Calf stretching in non-weight bearing versus weight bearing

NewsBot · Jul 21, 2011

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Calf stretching in non-weight bearing versus weight bearing.
Dinh NV, Freeman H, Granger J, Wong S, Johanson M.
Int J Sports Med. 2011 Mar;32(3):205-10

Limited ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF PROM) has been associated with lower extremity overuse injuries. Therefore, clinicians often prescribe stretching exercises to increase ankle DF PROM. However, there is limited evidence to indicate if any particular gastrocnemius stretching exercise results in greater improvement in DF PROM. The aim of this study was to determine if gastrocnemius stretching in non-weight bearing (NWB) or weight bearing (WB) results in a greater increase of ankle DF PROM. 28 healthy volunteers, aged 18-55 years, who exhibited less than 10 degrees of ankle DF PROM completed the study. Participants were randomized into 2 stretching groups: NWB and WB. Both groups completed a 3-week home gastrocnemius stretching program, consisting of 5 repetitions held for 30 s each, 2 times daily. Participants' ankle DF PROM was measured with a blinded standard goniometer in NWB and WB positions before and after participation in a 3-week home gastrocnemius stretching program. Two 3-way mixed model ANOVAs demonstrated no significant difference in ankle DF PROM between the NWB and WB groups for either the NWB measurement condition (p=0.49) or WB measurement condition (p=0.86). Gastrocnemius stretching exercises performed in NWB or WB were equally effective in increasing ankle DF PROM.
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NewsBot · Oct 14, 2014

Gastrocnemius Stretching Program More Effective in Increasing Ankle/Rearfoot Dorsiflexion When Subtalar Joint Positioned in Pronation Compared to Supination
Marie A. Johanson, Megan Armstrong, Chris Hopkins, Meghan L. Keen, Michael Robinson, and Scott Stephenson
JSR In Press

Context: Stretching exercises are commonly prescribed for patients and healthy individuals with limited extensibility of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if individuals demonstrate more dorsiflexion at the ankle/rearfoot and less at the midfoot following a gastrocnemius stretching program with the subtalar joint (STJ) positioned in supination compared to pronation. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Biomechanical laboratory.

Participants: 22 volunteers with current or recent history of lower extremity cumulative trauma and gastrocnemius tightness(10 women and 4 men, mean age = 28 years)were randomly assigned to stretching groups with the STJ positioned in either pronation (n=11) or supination (n=11). Intervention: 3-weekhome gastrocnemius stretching program using a template to place the subtalar joint in either a pronated or supinated position.

Main Outcome Measures: A 7-camera Vicon Motion Analysis System measured ankle/rearfoot dorsiflexion and midfoot dorsiflexion of all participants during stretching with the STJ positioned in both pronation and supination before and after the 3-week gastrocnemius stretching program.

Results: A two-way mixed model ANOVArevealed asignificant interaction (p=0.019). At posttest, the group who performed the 3-week stretching program with the STJ positioned in pronation demonstrated increased ankle/rearfoot dorsiflexion when measured with the STJ in pronation than the group who performed the 3-week stretching program with the STJ positioned in supination. No significant main effect of stretching group or interaction for dorsiflexion at the midfoot was detected (p=0.755 and p=0.820, respectively).

Conclusion: Following a 3-week gastrocnemius stretching program, when measuring dorsiflexion with the STJ positioned in supination, the participants who completed a 3-week gastrocnemius stretching program with the STJ positioned in pronation showed increased dorsiflexion at the ankle/rearfoot than participants who completed the stretching program with the STJ positioned in supination.
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mike weber · Oct 14, 2014

Makes sense when you consider for most the Gastroc/sol complex is a supinatory muscle, pronate the STJ will = greater elongation and therefore stretch

abstract mentions nothing re axial position of the STJ

NewsBot · Jan 16, 2016

Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion After Ankle Self-Stretching Using a Strap
In-cheol Jeon, MS; Oh-yun Kwon, PhD; Chung-Hwi Yi, PhD; Heon-Seock Cynn, PhD; Ui-jae Hwang, BHSc
Journal of Athletic Training: December 2015, Vol. 50, No. 12, pp. 1226-1232.

Context: A variety of ankle self-stretching exercises have been recommended to improve ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) in individuals with limited ankle dorsiflexion. A strap can be applied to stabilize the talus and facilitate anterior glide of the distal tibia at the talocrural joint during ankle self-stretching exercises. Novel ankle self-stretching using a strap (SSS) may be a useful method of improving ankle DFROM.

Objective: To compare the effects of 2 ankle-stretching techniques (static stretching versus SSS) on ankle DFROM.

Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-two participants with limited active dorsiflexion (<20?) while sitting (14 women and 18 men) were recruited.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The participants performed 2 ankle self-stretching techniques (static stretching and SSS) for 3 weeks. Active DFROM (ADFROM), passive DFROM (PDFROM), and the lunge angle were measured. An independent t test was used to compare the improvements in these values before and after the 2 stretching interventions. The level of statistical significance was set at α = .05.

Results: Active DFROM and PDFROM were greater in both stretching groups after the 3-week interventions. However, ADFROM, PDFROM, and the lunge angle were greater in the SSS group than in the static-stretching group (P < .05).

Conclusions: Ankle SSS is recommended to improve ADFROM, PDFROM, and the lunge angle in individuals with limited DFROM.
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mike weber MVP

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Alternative to stretching the calf muscles when tight

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Plantar plate injuries and exercises / stretching of the calf muscles

Effect of calf muscle stretching on foot function

Foot Orthosis and Calf Stretching for MTSS

"Arch support" and calf muscle stretching

Calf raise test (CRT)

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