Effect of Static Stretching of the Gastrocnemius and Static Stretching Combined with Muscle Compression on the Range of Motion of Ankle Dorsiflexion

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of static stretching (SS) and muscle compression. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 14 healthy male college students. Ankle range of motion (ROM) was measured before and after the tasks for the gastrocnemius. The tasks were: SS, SS + 5 kg compression and SS + 10 kg compression. ROM of before and after the tasks were compared as well as the rate of change in ROM between tasks. [Results] ROM significantly increased after all of the tasks, but there were no significant differences among the tasks in the rate of change of each task. [Conclusion] There was no difference in the effect on the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion between SS for the gastrocnemius and SS combined with muscle compression.