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.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Muscle Strain
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Ankle plantar flexion test:

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 158

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Lahore, Pakistan
    • Superior university support club

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

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.

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Ankle plantar flexion test

Diagnostic test: Ankle plantar flexion 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)	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	6 Month
Hop tests	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.	6 Months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Superior University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 4, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 17, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): June 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): June 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 17, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Sprains and Strains
• Other Study ID Numbers: DPT/Batch-Fall20/1005

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

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