The Acute Effect of Talocrural Joint Mobilization on Dorsiflexor Muscle Strength in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Single-Blind Study.

Context: Mobilization has been used for enhancing muscle strength.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of talocrural joint mobilization on ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength in healthy individuals, which has not yet been studied.

Design: Randomized controlled single-blind study.

Setting: University laboratory.

Participants: Forty-eight healthy individuals.

Interventions: Maitland grade III (study group) versus Maitland grade I (control group) mobilizations.

Main Outcome Measures: Muscle strength measurements were performed using a handheld dynamometer at baseline, immediately after the mobilization, and 30 minutes after mobilization.

Results: At baseline, the physical characteristics and muscular strength were similar in both groups (P > .05). According to Friedman analysis, a significant difference was detected following the mobilization in the study group (P < .001), and while the muscle strength at immediately after the mobilization and at 30 minutes after mobilization was significantly higher than baseline (P < .001), no significant differences were observed between 30 minutes after mobilization and immediately after the mobilization (P = .17). However, no significant changes were detected in the control group. The study group was found superior to the control group in terms of muscle strength differences following the mobilization (P < .001).

Conclusion: The ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength might be increased by performing Maitland grade III mobilization, and this increase might be preserved for 30 minutes, while Maitland grade I mobilization did not lead to such an improvement in healthy individuals.