Immediate Effect of Stretching and Post Isometric Relaxation on Calf Muscle Tightness

Abstract

Background: The study is aimed at investigating the immediate effect of stretching and post isometric relaxation on calf muscle tightness
Methods: Ethical clearance was taken by Institutional Ethical Committee. Subjects with any history of hamstring tightness, plantar fasciitis, knee-flexion contracture, ankle fracture or any neurological were excluded as these can affect the results. The research was carried out on people between the ages of 20 and 40. 40 subjects were selected and were divided into two groups. Group A for Passive Stretching and group B for Post Isometric Relaxation. The calf muscle tightness was tested in a randomised study with the outcome measure Ankle Flexibility Test. After the respective procedure, post-assessment that is Ankle Flexibility Test, Ankle Active Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Ankle Passive Dorsiflexion Range of Motion were taken. Further study was then carried out based on the comparison of pre and post-assessment as well as comparing the results of both the groups.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated greater improvements in Ankle Active Dorsiflexion Range of Motion, Ankle Passive Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Ankle Flexibility Test with immediate effect of post isometric relaxation in group B than the immediate effect of passive stretching in the group A. Hence it is preferable to use Post Isometric Relaxation as it is shown to be more effective for reducing the tightness of the calf muscle rather keeping it untreated which can cause further problems like plantar fasciitis, hamstring tightness and so on.