neural mobilisation of tibial nerve and gastrocnemius stretching

Participants was instructed to perform the classic wall stretch for gastrocnemius as self-stretching for a duration of 30 seconds each leg. It was done facing the wall and one leg had knee flexed in front while the other leg had knee extended behind. A 30 second hold was maintained at maximum tretched position by leaning forward while both soles of feet remain contact on the round. Self-stretch was performed throughout the 4-week study duration before every ballet training or class.

the neural mobilisation was done with placement of participant's leg in hip flexion, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion and eversion to load the nerve. Then leg is placed back to neutral position, with ankle naturally plantarflexed to unload the nerve. NM of tibial nerve was done in a total of 10 seconds each repetition, with 5 seconds each for loading and unloading of nerve. Then 12 repetition was done in one set, which amount to a total of 120seconds or 2 minute per set. A total of 3 sets was done on each leg, with a 1-minute resting interval after each set. NM was administered to participants in experimental group before their ballet class for 3 times a week lasting for 4 weeks.

The participants placed the testing foot onto the measuring tape with foot perpendicular to the wall while lunging or bending the knee to touch the wall. Then participants slide their foot further away from the wall as much as ossible while maintaining contact of knee to the wall as well as heel of foot on the floor. The calf muscle flexibility is evaluated with the measurement of distance from the great toe to the wall will be the maximum possible ankle dorsiflexion for the individual.

Calf muscle strength was measured using handheld dynamometer (HHD).The device was placed at the plantar aspect of metatarsophalangeal joint height and the body of HHD should be maintained perpendicular to the plane of ankle plantarflexion movement. Isometric contraction of ankle plantarflexor was done in maximum possible force for 5 seconds. Participant performed one trial to familiarize with the test, followed by 3 repetitions alternated on each leg with 1-minute resting interval.