Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Acute Changes in Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness
Sponsor: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
Summary
This study evaluated how different exercise and rest schedules during calf-raise exercise affected the stiffness of the calf muscle in trained volleyball athletes. It also examined how muscle stiffness changed during a five-minute recovery period in which percussive therapy was applied. Thirty volleyball athletes, including 15 women and 15 men, completed three exercise sessions in a randomized order. During each session, participants performed repeated calf raises for a total period of five minutes using one of three work-to-rest schedules: 30 seconds of exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest, 15 seconds of exercise followed by 45 seconds of rest, or 45 seconds of exercise followed by 15 seconds of rest. The stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius, one of the main calf muscles, was measured using shear-wave elastography. Measurements were taken before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after the five-minute percussive therapy recovery period.
Official title: Acute Changes in Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness Following Different Work-Rest Calf-Raise Protocols and Percussive Therapy: A Randomized Crossover Experimental Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 30 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2025-06-24
Completion Date
2026-03-24
Last Updated
2026-08-04
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
30-Second Work / 30-Second Rest Calf-Raise Protocol
Participants performed bilateral standing calf raises for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest. The work-rest cycle was repeated over a total protocol duration of 5 minutes. Calf raises were performed barefoot at a standardized cadence of one repetition per second using a metronome, with the feet shoulder-width apart and the hands positioned on the hips.
15-Second Work / 45-Second Rest Calf-Raise Protocol
Participants performed bilateral standing calf raises for 15 seconds, followed by 45 seconds of rest. The work-rest cycle was repeated over a total protocol duration of 5 minutes. Calf raises were performed barefoot at a standardized cadence of one repetition per second using a metronome, with the feet shoulder-width apart and the hands positioned on the hips.
45-Second Work / 15-Second Rest Calf-Raise Protocol
Participants performed bilateral standing calf raises for 45 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of rest. The work-rest cycle was repeated over a total protocol duration of 5 minutes. Calf raises were performed barefoot at a standardized cadence of one repetition per second using a metronome, with the feet shoulder-width apart and the hands positioned on the hips.
Locations (1)
İnönü University
Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)