Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 1-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260601
Prevalence of Gastrocnemius Tightness and Its Impact on Balance Performance Among Young Female Adults - A Cross-Sectional Study
Dr. Susan Annie George1, Devika Satheesh2, Nafla Mahin3
1Professor, 2,3BPT Intern,
College of Physiotherapy, Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Cochin, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Susan Annie George
ABSTRACT
Background: Gastrocnemius muscle tightness has been associated with various common foot and ankle pathologies. The symptoms can be mild, leading patients to overlook or delay seeking treatment. Static balance can be explained as the ability to maintain a base of support with minimal movement on one or both legs, while dynamic balance is the ability to perform an active task while maintaining a stable position. Calf muscle tightness may compromise balance and gait. Our study aims to discover the prevalence of gastrocnemius tightness in young female adults and its impact on balance performance.
Method: A cross-sectional study was used. A convenient sample method, composed of 180 young female adults of age 18 to 25 years who are students of Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam. The participants were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome measures used were Silfverskiöld Test for assessing gastrocnemius tightness, Single Leg Stance test for assessing static balance and Y Balance test for assessing dynamic balance.
Results: 180 subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in this study. In accordance with statistical analyses there is prevalence of gastrocnemius tightness in 39% (71) of individuals had gastrocnemius tightness in the right leg and 34% (61) had gastrocnemius tightness in the left leg. The impact of gastrocnemius tightness on balance performance is statistically not significant.
Conclusion: The study revealed that gastrocnemius tightness is present among young female adults, but its association with balance performance was very weak. Understanding the prevalence of gastrocnemius tightness can help in preventive training and the development of strategies to reduce the occurrence of musculoskeletal diseases.
Keywords: Gastrocnemius tightness, Static balance, Dynamic balance, Silfverskiöld Test, Single Leg Stance test, Y Balance test, BMI
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