The central nervous system (CNS) coordinates balance through the visual, vestibular, and somatoproprioceptive systems, which produce muscle activation for postural control. Among the important muscle activations for postural control are those produced in the ankle joint, which is crucial for maintaining postural control in sports settings, along with the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Studies show that children who practice sports improve their postural stability and accelerate sensory maturation, which can affect the development of the lower limb extremity, specifically the insertional musculature of the ankle and foot. The present study aims to analyze postural control in school-aged children with triceps suralis retraction and assess the effectiveness of treatment with stretching versus a heel pad for 3 and 6 months. Additionally, the study will analyze whether the physical activity the children engage in influences their stability
A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using a heel pad and a gastrocnemius and soleus stretching protocol. The outcomes of both interventions will be evaluated and compared, including pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments at 3 months and 6 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
150
The Streching group will perform a conventional stretching exercise.
The heel pad group will be applied a plantar support during the months of the study.
Javier Ferrer Torregrosa
Torrent, Valencia, Spain
Change from baseline of Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) at 6 months
The data on the type and amount of physical activity performed by the participants will be collected using the Spanish version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) (Appendix 3). The PAQ-C has been validated by Manchola-González, Bagur-Calafat, and Girabent-Farrésby Manchola-González, Bagur-Calafat, and Girabent-Farrés will be used to collect data on the type and amount of physical activity performed by the participants.
Time frame: At baseline; post 1 (3 months) and post 2 (6 months)
Stabilometry
For collecting stabilometry data, an inertial measurement instrument called Gyko® (Janusz Jaworski et al., 2020) (Figure 5) will be used. It is a state-of-the-art device that allows for objective assessment of acceleration, angular velocity, and with an acquisition frequency of 100Hz
Time frame: At baseline; post 1 (3 months) and post 2 (6 months)
Instability test
The instability test will be performed using a foam rubber pad model Balance \_Pand Elite ® with dimensions of 50 x 41 x 6cm, a weight of 0.7kg, and a density of 55kg/m (Figure 6). The foam has a nominal density of 40kg/m3 and a vertical compressive strength of 0.45N mm2 and a vertical compressive elasticity of 34N mm2 according to the manufacturer
Time frame: At baseline; post 1 (3 months) and post 2 (6 months)
Lunge Test
he Lunge Test will be used to determine the dorsal flexion of the ankle (Figure 10) using the Leg MOtion® system
Time frame: At baseline; post 1 (3 months) and post 2 (6 months)
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