Effect of Contract-Relax on Calf Muscles Flexibility Compared to Static Stretching

Purpose: This study examined the effects of contract-relax on the calf muscle flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and balance ability compared to static stretching in healthy adults.Methods: After recording the baseline measurements, 44 subjects were randomized into two groups: the contract-relax group (n= 22), who received contract-relax, and the static stretching group (n= 22), who received static stretching.The ankle dorsiflexion ROM and one-leg stance test (OLST) second of both groups were recorded pre-and post-intervention.Paired t-tests were used to determine if the post-intervention scores were significantly different from the pre-intervention scores, and independent t-tests were used to analyze the differences in the dependent variables between the two groups.Results: Both groups experienced significantly increased ankle dorsiflexion ROM and OLST second (p< 0.05).The contract-relax group who underwent contract-relax showed greater improvements in the ankle dorsiflexion ROM than the static stretching group (p< 0.05), but no significant difference in OLST second was observed between groups (p> 0.05).Conclusion: Contract-relax enhances ankle dorsiflexion ROM and balance ability in healthy adults.