Immediate Effect of Static Versus Dynamic Stretching on Calf Muscle Flexibility in Healthy Young Adults

Introduction: The calf muscle, comprising the larger gastrocnemius behind the knee and the smaller soleus beneath it, functions as a powerful plantar flexor connecting to the ankle. Calf muscle tightness, characterized by reduced flexibility or increased stiffness, is associated with decreased ankle dorsiflexion and several disorders, including shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and muscle or joint sprains. Stretching is a term used to describe any therapeutic manoeuvre designed to lengthen pathologically shortened soft tissue and thereby to increase range of motion. Objective: To examine the immediate effect of static stretching (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) on flexibility of the calf muscle as measured by active ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion (ADFROM) in healthy adults. Design: An Interventional Study Materials & Methods: Thirty participants with calf muscle tightness were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (n=15) received static stretching, and Group B (n=15) received dynamic stretching. Active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADFROM) was measured before and after stretching. Result: A statistically significant improvement in ADFROM was observed in both the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in ADFROM was observed between groups. Conclusion: Both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in ADFROM, with no statistically significant difference observed between the two stretching techniques. These findings suggest that both SS and DS are effective strategies for enhancing calf muscle flexibility in healthy individuals. Key words: Calf Flexibility, Static Stretching, Dynamic Stretching, Range of Motion.