Comparative Effects of One‐Shot Electrical Stimulation on Performance of the Flexor Hallucis Longus Muscle in Professional Dancers: Percutaneous Versus Transcutaneous?

Objective High demand of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) in the positions of extreme flexion of the ankle and toes is required in the dance. The aim was to investigate the effects of single‐shot of ultrasound‐guided percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM) vs. single‐shot of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in performance of the FHL muscle in professional dancers. Materials and Methods Thirty‐two female healthy dancers were divided into two groups: TENS group and PNM group. The stimulation interventions consisted in the application of a square wave biphasic electrical current for a total of 1.5 mins. Range of motion (ROM) of first metatarsophalangeal joint, balance test, and unilateral heel raise fatigue test were performed in dominance limb. Results There were no differences between both groups in the baseline measurements. Compared to their baseline values, the TENS group statistically improved balance (p