The Influence of Acute Static Stretching on the Ankle Joint-position Sense of Soccer Players

The Influence of Acute Static Stretching on the Ankle Joint-position Sense of Soccer Players: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study isto investigate the influence of acute static stretching on the ankle joint position sense of soccer players.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Static Stretching

Detailed Description

This crossover randomized controlled trial will include semi-professional soccer players. All participants will perform 3 conditions: two experimental conditions, of static stretching of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, for 30 seconds or 90 seconds; and a control condition (rest). Ankle joint position sense of the dominant limb will be assessed before and immediately after the conditions for the range of 20º of plantar flexion by active repositioning, and using a video camera. Absolute, relative and variable angular errors will be calculated.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 19
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Joana Azevedo, PhD; Phone Number: +351 917910094; Email: jsazevedo@ufp.edu.pt

Study Locations

• Portugal
  • Porto, Portugal, 4200-253
    • Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• male soccer players from the senior level
• aged between 18 and 30 years old
• with normal plantar flexion range of motion
• without history of lower limb injuries in the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• those with cardiorespiratory, vestibular or neurological diseases
• with bone or joint deformities in the lower limb
• cerebral concussion in the last 3 months
• history of lower limb surgery
• those with positive ankle integrity tests (anterior drawer test, talus tilt test and external rotation stress test)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Condition; 5-minute rest
Active Comparator: Static Stretching of 30 seconds Condition; Static stretching of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles for 30 seconds	Other: Static Stretching; The static stretching protocol will include the following muscle groups of the dominant lower limb: Gastrocnemius - Participants will assume a bipedal position facing a wall. Then, the leg that is not being stretched will be placed forward, with the knee in semi-flexion, and the leg that is being stretched, behind, with the knee in full extension. Instructions will be given in order to keep the calcaneus on the floor;; Tibialis anterior - Participants will be facing a wall, with the entire foot in touch with the ground and toes pointing forward. Then, they will secure themselves to a handrail and project the hips back. These stretchings will be held in a position where the participants refer discomfort, and will be maintained for 30 seconds or 90 seconds according to the condition.
Active Comparator: Static Stretching of 90 seconds Condition; Static stretching of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles for 90 seconds	Other: Static Stretching; The static stretching protocol will include the following muscle groups of the dominant lower limb: Gastrocnemius - Participants will assume a bipedal position facing a wall. Then, the leg that is not being stretched will be placed forward, with the knee in semi-flexion, and the leg that is being stretched, behind, with the knee in full extension. Instructions will be given in order to keep the calcaneus on the floor;; Tibialis anterior - Participants will be facing a wall, with the entire foot in touch with the ground and toes pointing forward. Then, they will secure themselves to a handrail and project the hips back. These stretchings will be held in a position where the participants refer discomfort, and will be maintained for 30 seconds or 90 seconds according to the condition.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Absolute angular error	The absolute value of the difference between the target range and the achieved range	Change from Baseline (Before) to Immediately after interventions or control (After)
Relative angular error	The arithmetic difference between the target range and the range achieved	Change from Baseline (Before) to Immediately after interventions or control (After)
Variable angular error	The standard deviation of the 3 repositionings	Change from Baseline (Before) to Immediately after interventions or control (After)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Fernando Pessoa
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Joana Azevedo, PhD, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 12, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 13, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): March 29, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 20, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 9, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 7, 2024
• Last Verified: March 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Static Stretching; Soccer; Proprioception; Ankle; Joint Position Sense
• Other Study ID Numbers: ESS/FSA-397/23-2

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No