Influence of a Spinal Mobilization Exercise Using a Gym Ball on the Soleus H-Reflex

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of stretching exercise on the excitability of the soleus muscle using a gym ball. [Subjects] Ten healthy males aged 24.7 ± 3.9 years without pathologies in the leg and/or trunk participated in this study. [Methods] Excitability of the soleus muscle was measured indirectly using the H-reflex. In a control test, the subjects rested in the supine position for a minute. In the exercise test, the same subjects were asked to practice the stretching exercise for a minute. The soleus H-reflex amplitude was measured before and after rest or exercise in the supine position. The H-reflex amplitude before and after was compared under each condition. [Results] In the exercise test, the H-reflex after exercise was significantly lower than the H-reflex before exercise, while in the control test, there was no significant difference between the H-reflex before and after rest. [Conclusion] The result shows that the stretching exercise using the gym ball controlled the excitability of the soleus muscle.