A Study to Design a Flexibility Device for Calf Muscle Stretching for Muscle Tightness - A Pilot Study

Purpose of Study: Stretching is an important therapeutic for increasing joint ROM.Jean E Cromie et al, did a study to see the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRSDs) in physical therapists and concluded that the lifetime prevalence of WRSD 91%, and 1 in 6 physical therapists moved within or left the profession as a result of WRSDs. Margaret molumphy et al, determined work-related back pain among physical therapists as work includes lifting with sudden maximal effort, bending, and twisting activities. So, the need of the study is to design flexibility device to stretch and cure tightness by providing mechanical stretching and decreasing the incidence of WRSDs. Methodology: The flexibility device has been designed with help of a biomedical engineer. Thirty subjects between the ages of 25 to 50 years who fulfill all inclusion criteria along with a positive flexibility test of calf muscles were recruited for the study. All subjects have taken passive manual stretching treatment for one leg and mechanical stretching treatment with the use of flexibility devices in another leg. Flexibility measurement has done after treatment. The difference in pre-and post-data has been measured for the study. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software. Results: There is no significant difference observed between the two groups. Conclusion: The flexibility device is helpful to treat tightness of the calf muscle. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRSDs) can be managed by using this device.