Effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization Using Graston and Muscle Energy Technique on Pennation Angle and Tenderness of Gastrocnemius and Range of Motion of Ankle Joint

This study aimed to identify alterations in the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, active ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion and pressure pain threshold in response to passive stretching(PS), instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) using Graston, and muscle energy technique (MET). Twenty-four people with no orthopedic or neurological diseases volunteered to participate in the study. Their both legs were allocated either the PS, IASTM, or MET groups, 16 in each. Outcome measure included the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, active ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion and pressure pain threshold. Intervention was a 4 repetitions of 30-sec stretch for the PS group, a 2-min sweeping the soft tissue for the IASTM, and a 8 repetitions of isometric contraction and 7-sec relaxation for the MET group. As a result of this study, pre- and post-treatment changes in the pennation angle and range-of-motion were significantly different for the three groups(p<.01). Pre- and post-treatment changes in the pressure pain threshold were significantly different for the IASTM and MET groups(p<.05). But not different for the PS groups(p>.05). There were found statistically significant differences in the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM between the PS group and the others.(p<.05). This study suggests that IASTM and MET are more recommended than PS to increase the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM effectively.