The Claim
A nine-week resistance training program involving calf raises performed with the foot pointed outward (FPO) produces significantly greater hypertrophy in the medial gastrocnemius muscle head, yielding an 8.4% increase in muscle thickness, compared to foot-pointed inward (FPI) or forward (FPF) variations, which yield 3.8% and 5.8% increases respectively, in young adult males.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
If you do calf raises with your toes pointed outward, you'll build more muscle in the inner part of your calf compared to pointing your toes inward or straight ahead. After nine weeks of training, this outward toe position led to an 8.4% muscle growth, while the other positions only added 3.8% and 5.8%.
See the scientific wording
Performing calf raises with the foot pointed outward (FPO) produces significantly greater hypertrophy in the medial gastrocnemius muscle head compared to pointing the foot inward (FPI) or forward (FPF), resulting in an 8.4% increase in muscle thickness versus 3.8% and 5.8% respectively, after nine weeks of resistance training in young adult males.
What the research says
1 studyThe study confirms that pointing your toes outward while doing calf raises builds the inner part of your calf muscle much better than pointing them inward or straight ahead. After nine weeks, this specific toe position led to nearly double the muscle growth compared to pointing inward.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.