The Relation of Ankle Mobility and Achilles Tendon, Plantar Fascia and Iliotibial Band Mechanical Properties

The Relation of Ankle Mobility and Achilles Tendon, Plantar Fascia and Iliotibial Band Mechanical Properties

The Association Between Ankle Mobility and Achilles Tendon, Plantar Fascia, Iliotibial Band Stiffness and Elasticity in Athletes

The myotonometric assessment is becoming popular and important in athletic population. It is mentioned an alternate method than expensive methods, and it is easy and reliable assessment. Still there is not enough information of mechanical characteristics in athletic population and ankle mobility. Most clinicians or trainers can use this results and technique for enhancing performance, rehabilitation or prevention

The soft tissue mechanical properties can be assessed through elastography and ultrasonography. Both methods can measure passive and active soft tissue properties. These methods are the gold standard to measure stiffness and elasticity, but they are expensive, operator dependent and need a laboratory settings.Recently, myotonometric device has been used to measure the mechanical properties of the muscles and tendons. This method serves many advantages, such as non-invasive, painless and cost-effective. There is an increasing literature on athletic training about how training effects viscoelastic properties. However, to the best of our knowledge, there were no studies assessing stiffness and elasticity of AT, PF and ITB and the relation with ankle mobility in different sport disciplines. The purpose of this study were to demonstrate the mechanical properties of AT, PF and ITB and find out relation with restricted ankle mobility in athletes.

Mobility Limitation, Stiffness of Right Ankle, Not Elsewhere Classified, Stiffness of Left Ankle, Not Elsewhere Classified, Tone Increased, Muscle

Professional male athletes (basketballers, voleyballers, runners) will participate and divided to groups. AT, PF and ITB mechanical properties will evaluate with MyotonPro device (Myoton Ltd, Estonia). Ankle mobility will measure with inclinometer during a knee to wall lunge test.

The measurement method of the device is based on the free oscillation technique. Firstly, the probe of the device is placed perpendicular to the skin and a pre-pressure is applied to compress the subcutaneous tissue. Then, a short mechanical impulse is applied, causing damped oscillation on the tissue and the co-oscillation is recorded by an accelerometer.

The knee to wall lunge test will use in a standing position while the heel in contact with the ground and the knee was in line with second toe. Athletes will do lunge forward and inclinometer will be place at the middle anterior tibial crista and measurement will be record.

Myoton device stimulations create natural oscillations in the tissue and records these oscillations using an accelerometer. Stiffness (N/m) is calculated by device.

Myoton device stimulations create natural oscillations in the tissue and records these oscillations using an accelerometer. Elasticity (log) is calculated by device.

Inclinometer is be place at the middle anterior tibial crista during the knee to wall test. The angle of incliometer during a maximum distance between the largest toe and the wall that is recorded for ankle range of motion.

Inclusion Criteria: being a professional athlete right dominant not having any lower extremity injury or surgery in the last 6 months, following routine training program. Exclusion Criteria: a history of strain or surgery with knee or ankle, had any neurological or systemic disease.

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