The Claim
External foot rotation during plantar flexion exercises produces greater electromyographic activation of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle compared to neutral or inward foot positioning in physically active young men, indicating selective targeting of the inner calf compartment for hypertrophy training.
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.
Turning your feet outward while doing calf raises actually works the inner part of your calf muscle more than keeping your feet straight or turned in. This means if you want to specifically build up the inside of your calves, adjusting your foot angle during exercises could help.
See the scientific wording
Performing plantar flexion exercises with feet positioned outwards is associated with greater electromyographic activation of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle compared to feet positioned forwards or inwards in physically active young men, indicating that external foot rotation selectively targets the inner calf muscle compartment during this specific movement, which has implications for targeted hypertrophy training.
What the research says
1 studyThe study found that pointing your feet outward while doing calf raises activates the inner part of your calf muscle more than pointing them straight or inward. This means you can change your foot position to specifically target different areas of your calf.
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.