Slow passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion

Objective. Examine the slow passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion. Design. A cross-sectional comparative design. Background. The passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical biomechanics (Bristol) 2004-05, Vol.19 (4), p.398-406
Main Authors: Gajdosik, Richard L, Vander Linden, Darl W, McNair, Peter J, Riggin, Tammy J, Albertson, Jeff S, Mattick, Danita J, Wegley, Joseph C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aging - physiology
Ankle Joint - physiology
Calf muscles
Cross-Sectional Studies
Elasticity
Female
Humans
Leg - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Passive-elastic energy
Passive-elastic stiffness
Physical Stimulation
Range of Motion, Articular - physiology
Stress, Mechanical
Women
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Summary:Objective. Examine the slow passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion. Design. A cross-sectional comparative design. Background. The passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion have not been studied. Methods. Fifteen older women (mean 79 years) with active dorsiflexion ⩽10° and 15 younger women (mean 24 years) without limited dorsiflexion were tested. The right ankle was stretched from plantarflexion to maximal dorsiflexion and released into plantarflexion at 5°/s with minimal surface EMG activity in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles. Length, passive-elastic stiffness and stored passive-elastic energy were examined. Results. The older women had less maximal passive dorsiflexion, a greater initial stretch angle, and less angular change than the younger women ( P
ISSN:0268-0033
1879-1271
DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2003.12.009