NCT06626698

Electrical Stimulation vs. Static Stretching in the Leg Muscles

Effect of Electrical Muscle Elongation vs. Static Stretching in the Leg Muscles Contracture

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Seville · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Muscle Fatigue

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Static stretching	A passive static stretch of the posterior leg muscles will be performed with the subject in a supine position and knees extended, starting with the ankle at 90º and continuing until reaching the maximum tolerated dorsiflexion.
DEVICE	Electrical muscle elongation	The intervention will be performed with the subject in a supine position with knees extended. Electrodes will be placed on the gastrocnemius muscles of the leg being assessed. The parameters will be selected. Static stretching will begin until resistance is felt, at which point the intensity of the electrical current will be increased to induce a visible and tolerable contraction. Simultaneously, the subject will be asked to perform an isometric contraction of the antagonist muscles, resisted by the investigator. When the subject feels the stretch again, the intensity of the current will be increased once more until a new movement barrier is reached.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-06-01
• Primary completion: 2024-07-31
• Completion: 2024-07-31
• First posted: 2024-10-04
• Last updated: 2025-12-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain