Eva María Martínez-Jiménez1, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias2, Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo1, José Ignacio Díaz-Velázquez3, Daniel López-López4, César Calvo-Lobo5, David Rodríguez-Sanz1. 1. School of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain. 3. Rehabilitación Premium Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 4. Research, Health and Podiatry Group, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, Universidade da Coruña, Ferrol, Spain. 5. School of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: cescalvo@ucm.es.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the immediate effects of an intermittent plantar flexion static-stretching protocol on balance and plantar pressures. METHODS: The study included a sample size of 24 healthy participants (21 female and 3 male). Participants were 32.20 ± 8.08 years, 166.20 ± 8.43 cm, and 62.77 ± 9.52 kg. All participants performed an intermittent plantar flexion static-stretching protocol. Five sets (60 seconds intermittent stretch; 15 seconds for the rest time) of a passive plantar flexor stretching (70% to 90% of the point of discomfort) were performed. Static footprint analysis and a stabilometry analysis were performed before and after stretching. A P value < .05 with a CI of 95% was considered statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Intermittent ankle plantar static stretching resulted in a significantly greater forefoot surface contact area and lower rear foot medium and maximum plantar pressures. In addition, static stretching caused a lower displacement of the center of pressure for both eyes open and eyes closed conditions. CONCLUSION: An intermittent plantar flexor static-stretching protocol improved balance and reduced rear foot plantar pressures (maximum and medium pressures).
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the immediate effects of an intermittent plantar flexion static-stretching protocol on balance and plantar pressures. METHODS: The study included a sample size of 24 healthy participants (21 female and 3 male). Participants were 32.20 ± 8.08 years, 166.20 ± 8.43 cm, and 62.77 ± 9.52 kg. All participants performed an intermittent plantar flexion static-stretching protocol. Five sets (60 seconds intermittent stretch; 15 seconds for the rest time) of a passive plantar flexor stretching (70% to 90% of the point of discomfort) were performed. Static footprint analysis and a stabilometry analysis were performed before and after stretching. A P value < .05 with a CI of 95% was considered statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Intermittent ankle plantar static stretching resulted in a significantly greater forefoot surface contact area and lower rear foot medium and maximum plantar pressures. In addition, static stretching caused a lower displacement of the center of pressure for both eyes open and eyes closed conditions. CONCLUSION: An intermittent plantar flexor static-stretching protocol improved balance and reduced rear foot plantar pressures (maximum and medium pressures).
Authors: Eva María Martínez-Jiménez; Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias; Marta San Antolín-Gil; Daniel López-López; Carlos Romero-Morales; María Benito-de-Pedro; César Calvo-Lobo; Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo Journal: Life (Basel) Date: 2021-01-13