Gastrocnemius Exercise

Gastroparesis is a digestive disorder in which the motility of the stomach is either abnormal or absent. "Gastro" means stomach and "paresis" means weakness. Gastroparesis is a weak stomach. This condition is very common. It can be the cause of a number of abdominal complaints. It is usually not a serious problem and there are effective treatments available.

Two other muscles have origin above the knee. The gastrocnemius muscle is a rather large muscle that has two heads of origin above the knee. The medial head originates just above the posterior medial condyle of the femur. The lateral head has its origin on the posterior lateral surface of the lateral condyle of the femur. These two heads come together to form a large muscle that

Jackson, A.W., Baker, A.A. (1986). The Relationship of the Sit and Reach Test to Criterion Measures of Hamstring and Back Flexibility in Young Females. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 57 (3), 183-186.

There were several different interventions performed aimed at increasing range of motion, balance/proprioception, and to increase strength of the right lower extremity. Following the initial examination and evaluation a brief therapeutic exercise period ensued. The gastrocnemius and soleus were both stretched against a wall each for two sets of 60 seconds to help increase dorsiflexion range of motion (Radford, Burns, Buchbinder, Landford, Cook, 2006). Active range of motion for dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion was performed on a wobble board while seated for 20 repetitions in each directions to increase range of motion, but more importantly to improve proprioception (Bernier and Perrin, 1998). Plantar flexion strength was addressed by utilizing green thera-tubing around the forefoot with the patient holding the other end of the tube. This was performed for one set of 20 repetitions. Body weight squats using a railing for support were chosen as they are a closed kinetic chain exercise that challenges the gluteus muscle group as well as hamstrings while also causing dorsiflexion of the ankles (Gryzlo SM, Patek RM, Pink M, Perry J, 1994). Closed chain exercises were started initiated at the first visit as they cause an increase in joint compressive forces which can lead to increased stability, increased muscle activation, and decreased joint shearing forces (Harter, 1996). Supine bridges on a 55 cm theraball were performed for 20 repetitions to address the

Throughout its “lifespan” the tendon changes shape and orientation (Carcia, Martin, Houck & Wukich, 2010, pg. 7). Most of the time, the tendon is broad and flat. As the tendon descends among the gastrocnemius it takes on more of a rounded state. Furthermore, the tendon begins to undergo morphologic changes, which includes a decrease in the collagen diameter and water content. The tendon changes due to age and is characterized by linear stiffness and ultimate load. Tendons are stiff, meaning they have a strength of up to 4% before they can damage

These muscles help the joint stay stable and are the power behind the movements associated with the joint. The muscles can be grouped into four groups (!). You have the anterior, posterior, adductor, and abductor groups. The muscles in the anterior group are the psoas major, iliacus, rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus larteralis, and vastus medialis. These muscles help to lift the leg, sit up, or kick a ball (!). Next is the posterior group which assist in things like standing, walking, and running. Biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus are the three muscles of the posterior group. The adductor group is the muscle inside of the leg that help move the leg toward the body. These muscles are the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, pectineus, and gracilis. Lastly you have the abductor group which move the leg away from the body as in a split. These are the piriformis, superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, tensor fasciae latae, Sartorius, gluteus medius, and gluteus

We will be investigating the role of gastrocnemius stretching and its effect on ankle kinematics during walking and running, as well as the difference between just stretching versus stretching combined with self-myofascial release (SMR) on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. According to our research and literature review, this project will be the first to explore the role of SMR on the gastrocnemius and its effect on ankle kinematics during walking and running. Previous studies have analyzed the effect of stretching the gastrocnemius muscle, but no other reported study combined the use of stretching and SMR on dorsiflexion range of motion and its effects on gait. We believe that the combination of gastrocnemius stretching and SMR will have a greater impact on ankle kinematics during walking and running by increasing the amount of dorsiflexion in those with tight gastrocnemius muscles compared to gastrocnemius stretching alone.

A vertical jump test is used, both by athletes and the general public, to determine a variety of functional actions. For example, it is commonly used to determine the development of elastic leg strength (Mackenzie, B., 2007), jumping ability and it may even be used to asses recovery prior to or post-training (Baggett, K., 2004). In this investigation, the vertical jump test is being used to determine whether there is any correlation between leg length and vertical jump height. The vertical jump, sometimes known as the Sargent jump test, can either be performed from standing as is in this investigation, or as a running vertical jump test which allows a run up prior to the jump.

Faulty structure and function of the joints and musculature directly above and below the knee joint relate to inability of the knee to maintain alignment with the hip and feet during squat (Cook, 2003; Kendall, 2005; Sahrmann, 2002). Underdeveloped, inflexible or activation in the wrong sequence of the hamstrings, rectus femoris which attach to both hip and knee joints, as well as the gastrocnemius which attaches to the knee and ankle joints creates a hindrance at the knee (Alter, 1996).

The plantaris is so small some people usually confuses it as a nerve. Many people do not have this muscle. The plantaris descends medially, condensing into a tendon that runs down the leg, between the gastrocnemius and soleus. Because it crosses at the knee it goes all the way to the ankle it allows one to point their toes downward. There are four muscles in the deep part of the posterior leg. One muscle, the popliteus, deal with the knee joint. The remaining three muscles (tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus) deals with the ankle and foot.

Milgrom et al investigated tight/fatigued plantar flexors by inserting strain gauge staples into the medial aspect of 4 subjects’ midtibial diaphysis, then measured gastrocnemius isokinetic torque before and after vigorous physical activity. The authors found a significant correlation between gastrocnemius fatigue and an increase in bone strain. They concluded that a fatigued state of the gastrocnemius increases bone strains in the tibia well above (26%–29%) those in rested individuals (Craig,

The calf is one of the main muscle components of a counter movement jump as it is utilised in many explosive lower limb activity (Brian, 1998). The compression to the calf allows for enhanced blood flow and reduced muscle vibration (Bringard, Denis, Belluye & Perrey, 2006), which may improve performance. Ferris and Farley (1985) found that leg stiffness including calf muscles have a positive effect on leg hops and this indicates how long compression tights apply pressure to the calf muscles resulting in a possible improved vertical jump height. As there is a decrease in muscle movement, the numbers of collected muscle fibers are also reduced, which can be found by a decrease in myoelectric activity, allowing the athlete to produce more force.

The outcomes of the study ware general bodily pain which was measured using visual analogue scale[6], after 12 weeks of training shows non-significant change with a p-value of ( 0.280). The second outcome was muscle strength, a calibrated handheld dynamometer was used to measure the maximum isometric strength of knee extension[9], and showed a significant improvement in muscle strength after 12 weeks of training with a p-value of(0 .001). Bodily pain

Gastric emptying study is a procedure that is done by using nuclear medicine. Physicians use radioactive chemicals that measure food emptying from the stomach. When radioactive chemicals enter the stomach it goes to the small intestine. Gastric emptying studies are used for evaluating patients who are having symptoms that may be due to slow and less commonly, rapid emptying of the stomach. Some symptoms of slow emptying are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, with fullness after eating. The symptoms of rapid emptying are diarrhea, weakness, and lightheadedness after eating.

This test asses the stomach and hip flexor power. Participant sit on the floor with shoes removed and the sole of feet against sit and reach box with both hands as far as possible holding the maximum reach position momentarily. The average normative data is 26.1 to 40.1(cm) for females, and 29.9 to 39.6(cm) for males.