The Claim

Bent-leg calf raise exercises produce significantly greater increases in soleus muscle thickness compared to straight-leg calf raise exercises in young women performing exercises to muscular failure.

Source: Muscle Swelling of the Triceps Surae in Response to Straight-Leg and Bent-Leg Calf Raise Exercises in Young Women

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
42score
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.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

When young women do calf raise exercises until they can't do any more, doing them with bent legs makes the calf muscle grow about twice as much as doing them with straight legs.

See the scientific wording

In young women performing calf raise exercises to muscular failure, bent-leg calf raises produce significantly greater increases in soleus (SOL) muscle thickness compared to straight-leg calf raises (+15.4% vs +7.7%, p<0.001)

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Muscle Swelling of the Triceps Surae in Response to Straight-Leg and Bent-Leg Calf Raise Exercises in Young Women

    The study tested exactly what the claim says - it compared bent-leg to straight-leg calf raises in young women doing exercises until their muscles gave out. The results showed bent-leg raises increased soleus muscle thickness by 15.4% while straight-leg raises only increased it by 7.7%, exactly matching 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.