The Claim

Among young women performing calf raise exercises to muscular failure, straight-leg calf raises result in significantly greater increases in gastrocnemius medial muscle thickness compared to bent-leg calf raises, with mean changes of +8.8% versus -0.9% respectively (p<0.001).

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 raises until they can't do any more, doing them with straight legs makes the upper calf muscle grow way more than doing them with bent knees (+8.8% vs -0.9%).

See the scientific wording

In young women performing calf raise exercises to muscular failure, straight-leg calf raises produce significantly greater increases in gastrocnemius medial (GM) muscle thickness compared to bent-leg calf raises (+8.8% vs -0.9%, 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

    This study directly tested whether straight-leg or bent-leg calf raises work better for growing the inner calf muscle in young women. The results match the claim exactly: straight-leg raises grew the muscle by 8.8% while bent-leg raises actually made it slightly smaller (-0.9%), and this difference was statistically significant.

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.