Different Foot Positioning During Calf Training to Induce Portion-Specific Gastrocnemius Muscle Hypertrophy

Abstract

Nunes, JP, Costa, BDV, Kassiano, W, Kunevaliki, G, Castro-e-Souza, P, Rodacki, ALF, Fortes, LS, and Cyrino, ES. Different foot positioning during calf training to induce portion-specific gastrocnemius muscle hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2347–2351, 2020—The aim of this study was to compare the changes in gastrocnemius muscle thickness (MT) between conditions such as which foot was pointed outward (FPO), foot was pointed inward (FPI), or foot was pointed forward (FPF). Twenty-two young men (23 ± 4 years) were selected and performed a whole-body resistance training program 3 times per week for 9 weeks, with differences in the exercise specific for calves. The calf-raise exercise was performed unilaterally, in a pin-loaded seated horizontal leg-press machine, in 3 sets of 20–25 repetitions for training weeks 1–3 and 4 sets for weeks 4–9. Each subject's leg was randomly assigned for 1 of the 3 groups according to the foot position: FPO, FPI, and FPF. Measurements with a B-mode ultrasound were performed to assess changes in MT of medial and lateral gastrocnemius heads. After the training period, there were observed increases in MT of both medial (FPO = 8.4%, FPI = 3.8%, and FPF = 5.8%) and lateral (FPO = 5.5%, FPI = 9.1%, and FPF = 6.4%) gastrocnemius heads, and significant differences for magnitude of the gains were observed between FPO and FPI conditions (p < 0.05). Positioning FPO potentiated the increases in MT of the medial gastrocnemius head, whereas FPI provided greater gains for the lateral gastrocnemius head. Our results suggest that head-specific muscle hypertrophy may be obtained selectively for gastrocnemius after 9 weeks of calf training in young male adults.

The Influence of Sonographer Experience on Skeletal Muscle Image Acquisition and Analysis

“…In support, the authors show excellent reliability for cross-sectional area, muscle thickness, and echo intensity determined from panoramic and a single transverse image for the biceps brachii with strong a strong association between muscle cross-sectional area and muscle thickness (r = 0.93). The interrater image acquisition reliability values for muscle thickness obtained in the transverse and sagittal planes show good–excellent reliability with minimal difference values sensitive enough to detect resistance training-induced increases in muscle thickness following longer (>6 weeks) training interventions [ 5 , 27 , 28 ], but likely not short-term training induced hypertrophy [ 29 ]. The SEM for muscle thickness measurements during acquisition are similar to those shown by a single experienced sonographer [ 30 ] and those by Mayer et al [ 11 ] with raters of different experience level.…”

Comparison Between High- and Low-Intensity Static Stretching Training Program on Active and Passive Properties of Plantar Flexors

“…B-mode ultrasonography (LOGIQ e V2; GE Healthcare Japan, Tokyo, Japan) with an 8 MHz linear array probe was used to evaluate the muscle thickness and the pennation angle of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles (MG and LG, respectively). Longitudinal ultrasound images were obtained for the MG and LG at 30% of the lower-leg length, measured from the popliteal crease to the lateral malleolus near the point of the maximal cross-sectional area of the lower leg (Akagi and Takahashi, 2013;Nakamura et al, 2014;Nunes et al, 2020a). Additionally, a longitudinal ultrasound image of the soleus muscle was obtained at 50% of the lower-leg length (Kubo et al, 2014(Kubo et al, , 2017.…”

Does Performing Different Resistance Exercises for the Same Muscle Group Induce Non-homogeneous Hypertrophy?

“…The effectiveness of resistance training (RT) programs depends on appropriate control of training volume and intensity [1][2][3]. Therefore, the proper manipulation of choice of resistance, exercise selection, and order, number of sets and repetitions, the velocity of muscle action, rest period length, and frequency can limit training plateaus and improve the ability to increase muscle mass [e. g., muscle thickness (MT)] [4][5][6]. Some investigations have shown that muscle growth seems to occur non-uniformly in the longitudinal axis of the muscles [7][8][9].…”