Effects of Stretching Types on Gastrocnemius

Participants will be placed in the maximum dorsiflexion position of the ankle of the dominant side lower extremities. At this last point, it will be held in a static position for 30 seconds. A total of 10 repetitions will be done, with 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

Participants will be positioned by placing their hands on the edge of the standing wall. They will be asked to try to increase normal ankle motion in a controlled manner using their own body weight. The stretching position will be held for 30 seconds and a total of 10 repetitions will be done. There will be 5-10 seconds rest between repetitions.

For the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-adduction-external position. For the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, the dominant side lower extremities of the participants will be placed in the extension-abduction-internal rotation position. Participants will be asked to actively go as far as they can in the opposite direction from the starting position (flexion-abduction-internal rotation for the lateral head; flexion-adduction-external rotation for the medial head). When the participant returns to the starting position after reaching the final point, the practitioner will apply the hold-relax technique and will be asked to stay in this position for 10 seconds.

Sham stretching will be applied to the calf area. While the participant is lying prone, they will wait 30 seconds in a static position without applying any stretching to the calf area before reaching the end point of the joint range of motion.