Correlation Between Gastrocnemius Muscle Strain and Functional Performance in Footballers

Footballers are highly prone to lower extremity injuries due to the intense physical demands of the sport, with calf muscle strains, particularly gastrocnemius injuries, being very common. The gastrocnemius muscle plays a critical role in movement, posture, and athletic performance.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Muscle Strain Sprains and Strains Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Superior university support club

Lahore, Pakistan

About this study

This study aims to determine the correlation between the severity of gastrocnemius muscle strain and functional performance among footballers. Participants aged 18-40 years with clinically diagnosed gastrocnemius strains were assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Hop Test. Severity was categorized through physical examination techniques like palpation, passive dorsiflexion stretch, and resisted plantarflexion tests. Data analysis will explore the relationship between strain severity and functional outcomes, providing valuable insights into rehabilitation strategies and return to play decisions for injured athletes. This study addresses a research gap by focusing specifically on footballers and correlating strain severity with sport-specific functional performance.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Both male and female patients aged between 18 and 40 years.
At least six months of football training.
The study focused on players with gastrocnemius muscle injury injuries diagnosed by physical examination; palpation, Stretch Test (Passive Dorsiflexion Test), Resisted Plantarflexion Test.
Willing to provide written informed consent and comply with study protocols.

Exclusion criteria

Players with Achilles tendon injuries were excluded from the study.
History of extrinsic trauma
soleus or other calf injury not meeting inclusion conditions
Inability to perform rehabilitation
No intention to return to full sports act

Treatment and study plan

Ankle plantar flexion test:

Diagnostic Test

Ankle plantarflexion is valid test used to assess for gastrocnemius muscle strain . Patient is asked to actively plantarflex the foot against resistance while examiner Observe ,this action activates the gastrocnemius muscle .The reliability for ankle plantar flexion is 0.81 to 0.99. If the patient reports pain in the region of gastrocnemius, the test is positive. If there is no pain , weakness or difficulty performing plantarflexion then suggest that test is negative.

Primary outcomes

Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)

Time frame: 6 Month

The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a questionnaire used to assess an individual's functional limitations related to their lower extremities. It contains 20 items, each scored on a scale of 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating better function. The total score ranges from 0 to 80, with 80 representing no functional limitations
Hop tests

Time frame: 6 Months

The Hop tests are used to assess lower limb function, particularly after injury, and are scored using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) by comparing the injured leg's performance to the uninjured leg. A score of 90% or higher on the LSI is generally considered a satisfactory level of recovery, indicating readiness to return to sports.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Superior University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jun 25, 2025
Registry last updated: Jun 25, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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