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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06626698

Electrical Stimulation vs. Static Stretching in the Leg Muscles

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Muscle Fatigue

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Área Clínica de Podología

Seville, 41008, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Subjects affiliated with or related to the University of Seville.
  • Those with muscular shortening of the posterior chain of the limb.

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects who engage in sports activity above the average of the sample or who follow an organized stretching program for the posterior leg muscles.
  • Hyperlaxity
  • History of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular injuries, joint disease, surgery on the lower leg, or serious illness.

Treatment and study plan

Static Stretching

Other

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.

Electrical muscle elongation

Device

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Evaluation of the ankle range motion

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 2 weeks.

    Assessment will be conducted in a prone position using a two-arm goniometer with the knee flexed and extended, as well as in a standing position with a digital inclinometer with the knee flexed and extended. Additionally, the distance from the big toe to the wall will be measured with a tape measure. This evaluation is carried , before and after a electric stimulation to compare if this measure may be different after this intervention At the beginning, during the intervention and a week later.

  2. leg muscular force

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 2 weeks.

    Assessment will be conducted with the subject in a supine position and with knees extended. The plantarflexor strength of the ankle will be measured using a portable dynamometer. Three measurements will be taken, and the average will be calculated. this measure is carried on to evaluation if the force of the posterior leg muscles may be increased At the beginning, during the intervention and a week later.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient Global Impression of Improvement cuestionarie

    Time frame: At the end of the study, an average of 2 weeks

    A questionnaire indicating the global impression of improvement after the intervention will be administered at the end of the study. It is to assesment is this study it is confortable for the patient The scale has a total score from 1 to 7. A value of 1 indicates great improvement and a value of 7 indicates that the patient is very unwell.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Seville

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Oct 4, 2024
Registry last updated
Dec 19, 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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