Gastrocnemius Stretching Program: More Effective in Increasing Ankle/Rear-Foot Dorsiflexion When Subtalar Joint Positioned in Pronation Than in Supination

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie A. Johanson ◽  
Megan Armstrong ◽  
Chris Hopkins ◽  
Meghan L. Keen ◽  
Michael Robinson ◽  
...  

Context:Stretching exercises are commonly prescribed for patients and healthy individuals with limited extensibility of the gastrocnemius muscle.Objective:To determine if individuals demonstrate more dorsiflexion at the ankle/rear foot and less at the midfoot after a gastrocnemius-stretching program with the subtalar joint (STJ) positioned in supination compared with 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 y) randomly assigned to stretching groups with the STJ positioned in either pronation (n = 11) or supination (n = 11).Intervention:3-wk home gastrocnemius-stretching program using a template to place the subtalar joint in either a pronated or a supinated position.Main Outcome Measures:A 7-camera Vicon motion-analysis system measured ankle/rear-foot dorsiflexion and midfoot dorsiflexion of all participants during stretching with the STJ positioned in both pronation and supination before and after the 3-wk gastrocnemius-stretching program.Results:A 2-way mixed-model ANOVA revealed a significant interaction (P = .019). At posttest, the group who performed the 3-week stretching program with the STJ positioned in pronation demonstrated more increased ankle/rear-foot dorsiflexion when measured with the STJ in pronation than the group who performed the 3-wk 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 = .755 and P = .820, respectively).Conclusion:After a 3-wk gastrocnemius-stretching program, when measuring dorsiflexion with the STJ positioned in supination, the participants who completed a 3-wk gastrocnemius stretching program with the STJ positioned in pronation showed more increased dorsiflexion at the ankle/rear foot than participants who completed the stretching program with the STJ positioned in supination.

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip A. Gribble ◽  
Richard H. Robinson ◽  
Jay Hertel ◽  
Craig R. Denegar

Context:Deficits in static postural control related to fatigue have been investigated previously, but there is little evidence to link fatigue to performance measures of dynamic postural control.Objective:To investigate the effects of fatigue and gender on performance measures of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).Design:Mixed-model design.Setting:Research laboratory.Participants:16 healthy young adults.Intervention:Subjects performed the SEBT before and after 4 different fatiguing conditions.Main Outcome Measures:The normalized reach distances and sagittal-plane kinematics of the knee and hip were recorded.Results:Fatigue produced deficits in normalized reach distances and decreased knee flexion in all 3 reaching directions. Overall, women were able to reach farther than men while simultaneously demonstrating a greater amount of knee flexion.Conclusions:Gender differences were observed during performance of the SEBT, with women demonstrating greater reach distances and knee flexion, and fatigue amplified these differences.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengyong Liu ◽  
Shiyu Zheng ◽  
Wenzhong Wu ◽  
Xiaoqiu Wang ◽  
Shan Qin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background : Acupuncture, as an important component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been widely applied in the treatment of chronic insomnia in China,while there is no clinical study related to its therapeutic mechanism. Methods/design : A single-center, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted at Jiangsu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A total of 60 patients will be registered.Eligible participantswill be randomly divided into acupuncture group and shamacupuncture group (n = 30 cases in each group). Patients in both groups will be treated once every other day, 3 times per week for 4 weeks.The primary outcome measures are Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH), Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), and cortisol (CORT). Secondary outcome measures are Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Discussion : This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on chronic insomnia by using PSQI, ISI, and FSS. The mechanism of acupuncture on CIPs will be preliminarily discussed by analyzing the changes in concentrations of CRH, ACTH, and CORT before and after treatment.


Author(s):  
Anna S Ord ◽  
Robert D Shura ◽  
Glenn Curtiss ◽  
Patrick Armistead-Jehle ◽  
Rodney D Vanderploeg ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The study objective was to determine whether number of concussions would affect symptom improvement following cognitive rehabilitation (CR) interventions. Method Service members (N = 126) with concussion history completed a 6-week randomized control trial of CR interventions. Participants were stratified based on self-reported lifetime concussion frequency. Outcome measures included the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), the Global Severity Index (GSI) from the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and the Key Behaviors Change Inventory (KBCI). Results Mixed-model analyses of variance revealed a significant main effect for time on cognitive, psychological, and neurobehavioral functioning. A significant main effect for the number of concussions was observed for GSI and KBCI, but not PASAT. Interactions between the number of concussions and time were not significant for any of the outcome variables. Conclusions Over the 6-week interval, improvements were found for all participants across all outcome measures. Number of concussions did not affect improvements over time.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nalini Naidoo

Introduction The aim of this study was to conduct a homoeopathic proving of Carcharhinus leucas in the thirtieth centesimal potency (30CH) and to subsequently establish and describe the symptomatology in standard materia medica format and then compare this symptomatology to Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH. Methodology The homoeopathic proving of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH was conducted at the Durban University of Technology and was accomplished by means of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Carcharhinus leucas 30CH was manufactured by the researchers according to Method 6, Method 8a and 10 of the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (Benyunes, 2005: 36-39). The homoeopathic proving was conducted in the form of a double blind placebo controlled study of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH with a total of 30 healthy provers. The prover sample was divided into two groups by a process of randomisation. Twenty four provers (80%) comprised the verum group and the remaining 6 provers (20%) comprised the placebo group. The identity of the proving substance and the potency used was not disclosed to provers. Provers documented their physical, mental and emotional status for one week preceding the administration of the proving remedy. A comprehensive physical examination and case history of every prover was taken before and after the proving period. Provers were instructed to ingest one powder three times a day for two days but were told to discontinue the powders once symptoms arose. The duration of the proving spanned 6 weeks and throughout the proving process, researchers were in constant communication with all the participants. Upon completion of the proving process, journals were collected and the information therein was translated into materia medica and repertory format. This was done in order to acquire the remedy picture of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH. Thereafter, the symptomatology of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH was compared to the symptomatology of Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH. Results The proving of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH produced a total of 590 already existing rubrics and 43 new rubrics. The majority of these rubrics were located in the MIND (127), GENERALS (64), HEAD (55), EXTREMITIES (50), and EYE (34). In regard to the mind, prominent features were apparent such as anger, anxiety, cheerfulness, an aversion or amelioration within company, difficulty concentrating or increased focus, varying delusions and fears and irritability. Pertaining to the head, headaches were evident with varying concomitants and modalities, with headaches predominantly affecting the forehead and sides. Sensations included dryness, heat, heaviness, perspiration and shaking. The extremities displayed symptoms primarily in the forearms, legs and thighs and sensations included paralysis, shaking, swelling and weakness. In regard to the eye, eye pain with multiple modalities were apparent, with symptoms related to the canthi and eyelids. Sensations included heat, heaviness, inflammation, itching and photophobia as well as a visible discolouration of the eye. Analysis of the results presented an understanding of the similarities and differences between Carcharhinus leucas 30CH and Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH. Conclusion As hypothesised, it was evident that administering Carcharhinus leucas 30CH to healthy individuals did yield observable symptomatology. Additionally, it was apparent that various correlations between Carcharhinus leucas 30CH and Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH existed


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 271-271
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Chaney ◽  
Taylor D Harrison ◽  
Kiernan J Brandt ◽  
Liesel G Schneider ◽  
Rebecca R Payton ◽  
...  

Abstract Replacement heifers provide the foundation of breeding herds by incorporating new and improving genetics. Growth rate (GR) manipulation during heifer development may alter the uterine environment via immune response impacting reproductive function. Angus-crossbred heifers (n = 48) were blocked into 4 weight classes and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) control (CON) fed to gain 0.68 kg/day for 120 d, 2) fast to slow (F/S) fed to achieve 1.25 kg/day for 57 d, then 0.11 kg/day for 63 d, and 3) slow to fast (S/F) fed to achieve 0.11 kg/day for 57 d, then 1.25 kg/day for 63 d. Heifers were supplemented (75% dry distillers grain and 25% corn) four times weekly to achieve desired GR and offered ad libitum forage and water. Blood, BW and BCS were taken every two wks beginning at the start of treatment (d 0) and supplements were adjusted following BW measurement. Uterine and vaginal flushes were taken at d 0, 57, and 120 to determine cytokine and hormone presence. Mixed model ANOVA utilized fixed effects of treatment, day, and their interaction to analyze influence of GR on BW, BCS, average daily gain (ADG), and feed:gain (F:G). All BW were similar until the GR switch; CON and S/F decreased for 3 samples and then returned to similarity (P=0.06). ADG was lower in CON and S/F immediately following GR switch; however, all treatments were similar before and after this event (P=0.0054). All maintained similar F:G until F/S decreased after GR switch (P=0.01). Total F:G was similar for all treatments (CON=18.3, F/S=26.5, S/F=22.7; P=0.25) In conclusion, altering GR during development will allow producers to hit growth thresholds but may impact the uterine environment. We plan to further elucidate the immune profile via cytokine and hormone concentrations from uterine and vaginal flushes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Limba da Fonseca ◽  
Marcio Magini ◽  
Thais Helena de Freitas

Objective:To evaluate the influence of pain on vertical ground-reaction force (VGRF) in patients with low back problems and the effect of the Pilates method on the gait of these patients.Design:A single-blind randomized controlled trial.Participants:28 individuals assigned to a control group (n = 11) and a low-back group (n = 17), the latter of which was subdivided into a Pilates group (n = 8) and a no-Pilates group (n = 9).Intervention:The Pilates group undertook 15 sessions of Pilates.Main Outcome Measures:The VGRF parameters were recorded during preferred and faster walking speeds. The data were collected before and after the intervention.Results:The weight-acceptance rate and push-off rate were significantly less in the right lower limb of low-back group than of the control group at preferred speed. Improvements were seen in the Pilates group postintervention, with increased middle-support force for the left lower limb at faster walking speed and decreased pain; this did not occur in the no-Pilates group.Conclusions:These results suggest that patients with low back pain use strategies to attenuate the amount of force imposed on their body. The Pilates method can improve weight discharge in gait and reduce pain compared with no intervention.


2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Johanson ◽  
Jennifer Baer ◽  
Holley Hovermale ◽  
Phouvy Phouthavong

Abstract Context: Gastrocnemius stretching exercises often are prescribed as part of the treatment program for patients with overuse injuries associated with limited ankle dorsiflexion. However, little is known about how the position of the subtalar joint during gastrocnemius stretching affects ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Objective: To determine the effect of subtalar joint position during gastrocnemius stretching on ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Design: This study was a 3-way mixed-model design. The 3 factors were subtalar joint position (supinated, pronated), lower extremity (experimental, control), and time (pretest, posttest). Lower extremity and time were the repeated measures. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Thirty-three healthy volunteers (29 women, 4 men). Intervention(s): Participants performed a gastrocnemius stretching exercise 2 times daily for 3 weeks with the subtalar joint of the randomly assigned experimental side (dominant or nondominant) in the randomly assigned position (supination or pronation). The contralateral lower extremity served as the control. Main Outcome Measure(s): Before and after the 3-week gastrocnemius stretching program, we used goniometers to measure ankle dorsiflexion ROM in weight-bearing and non–weight-bearing positions with the subtalar joint positioned in anatomic 0°. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion ROM measured in weight-bearing and non–weight-bearing positions increased after the gastrocnemius stretching program (P  =  .034 and .003, respectively), but the increase in ROM did not differ based on subtalar joint position (P  =  .775 and .831, respectively). Conclusions: Subtalar joint position did not appear to influence gains in ankle dorsiflexion ROM after a gastrocnemius stretching program in healthy volunteers.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Castellote-Caballero ◽  
Maríe C. Valenza ◽  
Emilio J. Puentedura ◽  
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽  
Francisco Alburquerque-Sendín

Background. Hamstring injuries continue to affect active individuals and although inadequate muscle extensibility remains a commonly accepted factor, little is known about the most effective method to improve flexibility.Purpose. To determine if an isolated neurodynamic sciatic sliding technique would improve hamstring flexibility to a greater degree than stretching or a placebo intervention in asymptomatic subjects with short hamstring syndrome (SHS).Study Design. Randomized double-blinded controlled trial.Methods. One hundred and twenty subjects with SHS were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: neurodynamic sliding, hamstring stretching, and placebo control. Each subject’s dominant leg was measured for straight leg raise (SLR) range of motion (ROM) before and after interventions. Data were analyzed with a3×2mixed model ANOVA followed by simple main effects analyses.Results. At the end of the study, more ROM was observed in the Neurodynamic and Stretching groups compared to the Control group and more ROM in the Neurodynamic group compared to Stretching group.Conclusion. Findings suggest that a neurodynamic sliding technique will increase hamstring flexibility to a greater degree than static hamstring stretching in healthy subjects with SHS.Clinical Relevance. The use of neurodynamic sliding techniques to improve hamstring flexibility in sports may lead to a decreased incidence in injuries; however, this needs to be formally tested.


2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winson CC Lee ◽  
Toshiki Kobayashi ◽  
Barton TS Choy ◽  
Aaron KL Leung

Background: A custom moulded ankle orthosis with hinged joints potentially offers a better control over the subtalar joint and the ankle joint during lateral cutting movements, due to total contact design and increase in material strength. Objectives: To test the above hypothesis by comparing it to three other available orthoses. Study Design: Repeated measures. Methods: Eight subjects with a history of ankle sprains (Grade 2), and 11 subjects without such history performed lateral cutting movements in four test conditions: 1) non-orthotic, 2) custom-moulded ankle orthosis with hinges, 3) Sport-Stirrup, and 4) elastic ankle sleeve with plastic support. A VICON motion analysis system was used to study the motions at the ankle and subtalar joints. Results: The custom-moulded ankle orthosis significantly lowered the inversion angle at initial contact ( p = 0.006) and the peak inversion angle ( p = 0.000) during lateral cutting movements in comparison to non-orthotic condition, while the other two orthoses did not. The three orthoses did not affect the plantarflexion motions, which had been suggested by previous studies to be important in shock wave attenuation. Conclusions: The custom-moulded ankle orthosis with hinges could better control inversion and thus expected to better prevent ankle sprain in lateral cutting movements. Clinical relevance Custom-moulded ankle orthoses are not commonly used in preventing ankle sprains. This study raises the awareness of the use of custom-moulded ankle orthoses which are expected to better prevent ankle sprains.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382110044
Author(s):  
Sean C. Rose ◽  
Keith Owen Yeates ◽  
Joseph T. Nguyen ◽  
Patrick M. Ercole ◽  
Natalie M. Pizzimenti ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the association between repetitive subconcussive head impacts and neurobehavioral outcomes in youth tackle football players. Methods: Using helmet-based sensors, we measured head impacts for 3 consecutive seasons of play in 29 male players age 9-11. Cumulative impact g’s were calculated. Players completed a battery of outcome measures before and after each season, including neuropsychological testing, vestibular-ocular sensitivity, and self- and parent-reported measures of symptoms and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results: Average cumulative impact over 3 seasons was 13 900 g. High-intensity hits predicted worse change for self-reported social adjustment ( P = .001). Cumulative impact did not predict change in any of the outcome measures. History of ADHD, anxiety, and depression predicted worse change for self-reported symptoms and social adjustment, independent of head impacts. When players were stratified into 3 groups based on cumulative impact across all 3 seasons, differences in outcome measures existed prior to the start of the first season. These differences did not further increase over the course of the 3 seasons. Conclusion: Over 3 consecutive seasons of youth tackle football, we found no association between cumulative head impacts and neurobehavioral outcomes. Larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times would further assist in characterizing this relationship.


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