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Article

Association Between Stiffness of the Deep Fibres of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Seiza Posture Performance After Ankle Fracture Surgery

1
Department of Rehabilitation, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, 4-1-1 Otsuno, Tsuchiura 300-0028, Ibaraki, Japan
2
Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami 300-0394, Ibaraki, Japan
3
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba International University, 6-8-33 Manabe, Tsuchiura 300-0051, Ibaraki, Japan
4
Center for Humanities and Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami 300-0394, Ibaraki, Japan
5
Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami 300-0394, Ibaraki, Japan
6
Center for Medical Science, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami, Ami 300-0394, Ibaraki, Japan
7
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Hospital, 4773 Ami, Ami 300-0331, Ibaraki, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(3), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030300 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 23 June 2025 / Revised: 27 July 2025 / Accepted: 31 July 2025 / Published: 1 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Functional Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System)

Abstract

Background: Seiza, a traditional sitting posture requiring deep ankle plantarflexion and knee flexion, often becomes difficult after ankle fracture surgery because of restricted mobility. Increased stiffness of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, particularly in its deep and superficial fibres, may limit plantarflexion and affect functional recovery. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between TA muscle stiffness, assessed using shear wave elastography (SWE), and the ability to assume the seiza posture after ankle fracture surgery. We also sought to determine whether the stiffness in the deep or superficial TA fibres was more strongly correlated with seiza ability. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 38 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for ankle fractures were evaluated 3 months postoperatively. Seiza ability was assessed using the ankle plantarflexion angle and heel–buttock distance. The shear moduli of the superficial and deep TA fibres were measured using SWE. Ankle range of motion, muscle strength, and self-reported seiza pain were also measured. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the predictors of seiza performance. Results: The shear moduli of both deep (β = −0.454, p < 0.001) and superficial (β = −0.339, p = 0.017) TA fibres independently predicted ankle plantarflexion angle during seiza (adjusted R2, 0.624). Pain during seiza was significantly associated with reduced plantarflexion, whereas muscle strength was not a significant predictor. Conclusions: TA muscle stiffness, especially in the deep fibres, was significantly associated with limited postoperative seiza performance. Targeted interventions that reduce deep TA stiffness may enhance functional outcomes.
Keywords: tibialis anterior; stiffness; elastography; shear modulus; sitting posture tibialis anterior; stiffness; elastography; shear modulus; sitting posture

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MDPI and ACS Style

Miyasaka, H.; Ebihara, B.; Fukaya, T.; Iwai, K.; Kubota, S.; Mutsuzaki, H. Association Between Stiffness of the Deep Fibres of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Seiza Posture Performance After Ankle Fracture Surgery. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10, 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030300

AMA Style

Miyasaka H, Ebihara B, Fukaya T, Iwai K, Kubota S, Mutsuzaki H. Association Between Stiffness of the Deep Fibres of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Seiza Posture Performance After Ankle Fracture Surgery. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2025; 10(3):300. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030300

Chicago/Turabian Style

Miyasaka, Hayato, Bungo Ebihara, Takashi Fukaya, Koichi Iwai, Shigeki Kubota, and Hirotaka Mutsuzaki. 2025. "Association Between Stiffness of the Deep Fibres of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Seiza Posture Performance After Ankle Fracture Surgery" Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 10, no. 3: 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030300

APA Style

Miyasaka, H., Ebihara, B., Fukaya, T., Iwai, K., Kubota, S., & Mutsuzaki, H. (2025). Association Between Stiffness of the Deep Fibres of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Seiza Posture Performance After Ankle Fracture Surgery. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(3), 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030300

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