Electrical Stimulation vs. Static Stretching in the Leg Muscles

University of Seville

Status: Completed

Conditions: Muscle Fatigue

Treatments: Device: Electrical muscle elongation; Other: Static stretching

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06626698

US-elect26

Details and patient eligibility

About

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'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'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.

Enrollment: 56 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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56 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental: static stretching

Experimental group

Description:

Passive static stretching of the posterior leg muscles. Single session of 30 seconds per 4 sets with 30 seconds of rest

Treatment:

Other: Static stretching

Experimental: EME

Experimental group

Description:

Electrical muscle elongation with interferential current. Dosage: 4kHz frequency and 100Hz frequency modulation amplitude. Self-adhesive surface electrodes (50x90 mm) and SONOPULS-492 equipment. Single session of 30 seconds per 4 sets with 30 seconds of rest.

Treatment:

Device: Electrical muscle elongation