Plantarflexor and Dorsiflexor Activation during Inclined Walking with and without Modified Mobilization with Movement Using Tape in Women with Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion

[Purpose] This study compared the EMG activities of the plantarflexor and dorsiflexor muscles during inclined walking with and without modified mobilization with movement (modified MWM) using tape in women with limited ankle dorsiflexion. [Subjects] Fifteen women with limited dorsiflexion in their feet (22 feet in total) were recruited for this study. [Methods] The subjects walked with and without modified MWM using tape on a treadmill at 6 degrees with a speed of 1.25 m/s for 5 minutes. The EMG activities of the medial gastrocnemius (GCM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were measured using a surface EMG system. [Results] During incline walking with modified MWM using tape, the mean EMG activity of the GCM significantly increased, and that of the TA decreased between heel strike and heel off. There was no difference between heel off and toe off in the two muscles. [Conclusions] Modified MWM using tape on the talus during incline walking could alter the muscle activities of the GCM and TA between heel strike and heel off in women with limited ankle dorsiflexion.