Correlation between Forward Reaching Abilities and Early Activation Amplitude of Gastrocnemius in Healthy Individuals

Background: Nearly one in three older people falls each year, findings also reveal fall incidence of 28-35% in older people over 64 years of age and approximately 32-42% in 70 years and older. There are many studies which say that there occurs activation of anterior and posterior leg muscles during forward reach but there is paucity of studies which establish any relation between their early activation and forward reaching ability.

Purpose: To find out that is there any correlation between forward reach and early activation amplitude of gastrocnemius existed. Subjects: 60 healthy individuals in between the age group of 18-25 years studying in SBSPGI.

Method: Upon receiving consent, early activation amplitude for gastrocnemius was recorded using surface EMG and also the maximum forward reach was recording using functional reach test.

Result: Using the Pearson correlation coefficient, no relation was found between early activation of amplitude of gastrocnemius and forward reaching abilities.

Discussion: Whatever minimal activation that take place in gastrocnemius, it cannot be used in predicting any type of balance impairment.

Conclusion: The finding indicate that there is no relation between forward reaching abilities and early activation of gastrocnemius.