Abstract
In this study, we took images of geometry variation of the gastrocnemius muscle of healthy people in passive foot joint dorsiflexion position retention in the sagittal plane by a non-invasive ultrasound method, which is widely used as a physical therapy procedure. The purpose of this study was to consider how the ultrasound method can help the study of the effectiveness of physical therapy by measuring in the obtained images the angle made by the tendon of insertion and muscle fascicle (pinnation angle) and the torque value of the plantar flexor muscle -pressure against the planta pedis- which is antagonistic to dorsiflexion retention. Each measurement value was found to be reliable. Furthermore, we found an increase in planta pedis pressure with decrease in pinnate angle in dorsiflex compared to plantar flexion. In conclusion, as macroscopic, basic information about muscle geometry variation in passive dosiflexion retention, the decrease if pinnation angle generated by passive tendon is suggested, and we consider the ultrasound method can be used to study the effectiveness of the physical therapy.
