Do partial-range calf exercises from dorsiflexion to neutral increase calf muscle thickness more than full-range training in resistance-trained people?
What the Evidence Shows
What we've found so far suggests that partial-range calf exercises—from dorsiflexion to neutral—might increase calf muscle thickness slightly more than full-range training in resistance-trained people over eight weeks [1]. Our analysis of the available research shows this potential edge, especially when those partial reps are added after reaching failure in a full-range set [1].
We looked at one key assertion from the evidence, and all of it supports this idea . In practical terms, this means that if you're already doing calf exercises through a full range of motion, adding extra reps that only go from the fully stretched position (toes pointed up) to a neutral ankle angle might lead to a bit more muscle growth . The exact reason isn’t clear from the data we’ve reviewed, but it could relate to how the muscle is loaded in that specific part of the movement.
Still, the evidence we’ve reviewed isn’t conclusive. While it leans toward partial-range training having a small advantage, the results aren’t strong enough to rule out other possibilities or confirm this will work the same for everyone . We don’t yet know if this benefit holds beyond eight weeks or whether it applies to all types of calf exercises.
Based on what we’ve reviewed so far, if your goal is to build calf muscle, trying partial reps in addition to your regular routine—especially after you can’t do any more full-range reps—might be worth experimenting with. But we’re still gathering insights, and future evidence could shift how we understand this.