Foot Posture, Strength, Performance, and Postural Control in Isolated Gastrocnemius Tightness (NCT06363136) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Foot Posture, Strength, Performance, and Postural Control in Isolated Gastrocnemius Tightness
Turkey (Türkiye)28 participantsStarted 2024-02-01
Plain-language summary
Studies on gastrocnemius tightness in healthy children are limited, but there is evidence that ankle dorsiflexion decreases with increasing age in children. It is not known whether gastrocnemius tightness is a normal finding in children, but recurrent leg pain is common in children. It is also known that flexible flatfoot is a normal observation in developing children and that the medial longitudinal arch develops during the first decade of life. Both foot morphology and ankle dorsiflexion change in developing children; however, it is not known whether there is a relationship between them or not.
In the literature, there is no study evaluating foot posture, muscle strength, functional performance, and postural control in children with isolated gastrocnemius muscle tightness. It was planned to evaluate postural control using computerized dynamic posturography (Biodex Balance System), lower extremity muscle strength using a hand-held dynamometer, foot posture using the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6), and functional performance using single-foot-double-foot jump tests in healthy children with isolated gastrocnemius muscle tightness.
Who can participate
Age range
7 Years – 16 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Study group
* Presence of bilateral isolated gastrocnemius tightness (The test is considered positive when ankle dorsal flexion dorsiflexion increases over a minimum of 10 degrees with the knee flexed than the knee extension.
* Being between 7-16 years of age
* Body mass index within normal limits (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) Exclusion criteria
* Presence of high femoral anteversion, internal tibial torsion, and metatarsus adductus
* Presence of hypermobility (Beighton score \>4 and above)
* Leg length discrepancy
* Presence of any neurological, rheumatic, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and connective tissue disease
* History of pain, deformity, or surgery associated with the vertebral column and lower extremities
* Presence of cognitive, mental, and/or severe psychiatric illness
* Participation in any exercise program or sportive activity in the last six months
For the control group, the same inclusion/exclusion criteria will be accepted except that the bilateral Silfverskiold test is negative.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.