The Claim

Doing calf raises with your knees straight (standing on toes) makes the inner part of your calf muscle grow more than doing them with your knees bent (seated), because the muscle is stretched more.

Source: Exercise Selection Differentially Influences Lower Body Regional Muscle Development

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
61score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Doing calf raises with your knees straight (standing on toes) makes the inner part of your calf muscle grow more than doing them with your knees bent (seated), because the muscle is stretched more.

See the scientific wording

Straight-leg toe press exercises are likely to produce greater hypertrophy in the medial gastrocnemius compared to seated calf raises in trained young adults after 8 weeks of training, due to the knee-extending position placing the muscle under greater stretch.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Exercise Selection Differentially Influences Lower Body Regional Muscle Development

    This study found that doing calf raises with your knees straight (toe press) made the inner part of your calf muscle grow more than doing them with your knees bent (seated calf raise), which matches the claim.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.