Acute effect of diagonal stretching using the posterior oblique sling system on contralateral ankle dorsiflexion

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A significant increase in the dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) after calf muscle stretching has been widely studied. However, it has been shown that the upper body is connected to the ankle joint by passive connective tissues. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upper-back stretching on the mobility of the contralateral ankle. METHODS: In the supine position, DFROM in the contralateral leg was measured. In the sitting position with and without trunk rotation, DFROM was measured in both legs. In the sitting position with trunk rotation, dorsiflexion was measured only in the contralateral leg. Static diagonal stretching combining trunk rotation with slight trunk flexion was performed in the sitting position with a neutral pelvis. RESULTS: After stretching, DFROM in contralateral and ipsilateral legs were measured in the sitting position with a neutral pelvis. In the contralateral leg, significant differences in ΔDFROM were observed between the sitting position with trunk rotation and the supine position and between the sitting position with trunk rotation and the sitting position after stretching. CONCLUSION: In clinical settings, diagonal stretching of the unilateral posterior trunk causes a significant increase in the DFROM of the contralateral lower limb.