부산대학교 도서관

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping on ankle dorsiflexion and subtalar joint pronation during walking. Methods: In total, 26 subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion were equally divided into two groups: a gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping group (13 subjects) and a gastrocnemius stretching group (13 subjects). They were assessed according to ankle dorsiflexion and subtalar joint pronation during walking before and after an intervention, which involved two types of gastrocnemius stretches performed three times a week for six weeks. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05), though the gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping group showed a significantly greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion than the gastrocnemius stretching group (p<0.05). However, subtalar joint pronation showed no difference between the two groups before and after (p>0.05), also between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping is a useful stretching exercise that improves ankle dorsiflexion during walking in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion movement.