Slow passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion.
OBJECTIVE
Examine the slow passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion.


METHODS
A cross-sectional comparative design.


BACKGROUND
The passive stretch and release characteristics of the calf muscles of older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion have not been studied.


METHODS
Fifteen older women (mean 79 years) with active dorsiflexion < or =10 degrees and 15 younger women (mean 24 years) without limited dorsiflexion were tested. The right ankle was stretched from plantarflexion to maximal dorsiflexion and released into plantarflexion at 5 degrees /s with minimal surface EMG activity in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles. Length, passive-elastic stiffness and stored passive-elastic energy were examined.


RESULTS
The older women had less maximal passive dorsiflexion, a greater initial stretch angle, and less angular change than the younger women (P < 0.05). The maximal passive resistive force (Newtons) of the stretch phase, and the stored passive-elastic energy ( degrees N) during both stretch and release phases were also less (P < 0.001). The older women had greater passive-elastic stiffness at 0 degrees and 5 degrees of dorsiflexion (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The older women had decreased calf muscle length, extensibility, maximal passive resistive force, stored passive-elastic energy, but greater angle-specific-stiffness at 0 and 5 degrees of passive dorsiflexion.


CONCLUSIONS
Older women with limited dorsiflexion range of motion have decreased calf muscle length, passive resistive forces and stored passive-elastic energy that may impact static and dynamic standing balance activities. Greater passive-elastic stiffness within their ambulatory dorsiflexion range of motion may partially compensate for the deficits.
Gajdosik
Richard L
RL
Department of Physical Therapy, Clinical Kinesiology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Allied Health, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812-4680, USA. richard.gajdosik@umontana.edu
Vander Linden
Darl W
DW
McNair
Peter J
PJ
Riggin
Tammy J
TJ
Albertson
Jeff S
JS
Mattick
Danita J
DJ
Wegley
Joseph C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical