Postural analysis of children with muscle retraction after six-month exercise or heel cup interventions in a randomized trial.
OrthoEvidence Journal (OE Journal) - ACE Report
OE Journal. 2025;13(20):30 Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 19;15:13578.What this means for my practice?
A daily, simple stretching program for 6 months improves stabilometric measures of balance in active children with triceps surae retraction, while routine 5 mm heel cup use worsens them; encourage stretching and physical activity, and reconsider heel cup prescriptions in this population. In practice, prioritizing gastro-soleus stretching may enhance postural control and potentially reduce injury risk. Key limitations include single-blind design, self-reported adherence, lack of symptom/HRQoL outcomes, no biomechanical mechanism testing, unmeasured pubertal status, and only 6-month follow-up.
Study Summary
One hundred fifty children with triceps surae retraction were randomized to stretching exercises (n=76) or 5 mm EVA heel cups (n=74). The primary outcome of interest was postural control quantified as elliptical area of oscillation (cm²) with the Gyko system across eyes-open/closed on firm and foam surfaces; models adjusted for sex, age, and physical activity. Secondary variables included ankle dorsiflexion (lunge test) and physical activity level. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Overall, the results revealed stretching produced progressive reductions in sway by 6 months, whereas heel cups increased sway. Consequently, a simple daily stretching routine improved postural control, while heel cups worsened it over six months.
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