Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults

Jung, Eui-Young; Jung, Jin-Hwa; Cho, Hwi-Young; Kim, Sung-Hyeon

doi:10.3390/ijerph20021462

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults

¹

Department of Health Science, Gachon University Graduate School, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea

²

Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Republic of Korea

³

Department of Physical Therapy, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work as first authors.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1462; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021462

Submission received: 20 December 2022 / Revised: 10 January 2023 / Accepted: 11 January 2023 / Published: 13 January 2023

(This article belongs to the Section Sport and Health)

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Abstract

Stretching can affect balance ability by generating biomechanical and physiological changes in the postural muscles. Stretching of the lower extremity muscles can greatly affect posture maintenance strategies and balance ability. However, the relationship between stretching and balance ability has not been clarified. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of plantar flexor stretching on balance ability. Forty-four healthy young adults were randomly assigned to four groups (static stretching, dynamic stretching, ballistic stretching, and control). Ankle joint range of motion, static balance ability, and dynamic balance ability were evaluated before, immediately after, and 20 min after stretching. Stretching did not affect balance ability in the open-eye condition. After stretching, the sway area was significantly reduced in the closed-eye condition (p < 0.05). After stretching, the reach distance of dynamic balance ability increased significantly (p < 0.05). The results show that plantar flexor stretching can positively affect balance ability. Therefore, plantar flexor stretching should be considered a rehabilitation method to improve balance.

Keywords: balance; static stretching; dynamic stretching; ballistic stretching

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MDPI and ACS Style

Jung, E.-Y.; Jung, J.-H.; Cho, H.-Y.; Kim, S.-H. Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 1462. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021462

AMA Style

Jung E-Y, Jung J-H, Cho H-Y, Kim S-H. Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(2):1462. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021462

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jung, Eui-Young, Jin-Hwa Jung, Hwi-Young Cho, and Sung-Hyeon Kim. 2023. "Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 2: 1462. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021462

APA Style

Jung, E.-Y., Jung, J.-H., Cho, H.-Y., & Kim, S.-H. (2023). Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1462. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021462

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Effects of Plantar Flexor Stretching on Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adults

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