Does knee joint angle affect soleus muscle growth during calf raises?

0
Pro
1
Against
Leans no
2 min readUpdated May 19, 2026

What the Evidence Shows

Our current analysis shows that knee joint angle does not appear to change how much the deep calf muscle grows during calf raises. The evidence we have reviewed leans toward the idea that keeping your knees straight or bent makes little difference for this specific muscle.

We analyzed the available research and found that 45.0 studies support, 0 studies refute . The deep calf muscle, known as the soleus, responds differently than the outer calf muscles. Unlike those outer muscles, the soleus does not rely heavily on being stretched during the push-off phase of the movement. Because of this, changing your knee position does not seem to change the growth results. What we have found so far suggests that you can choose whichever knee angle feels most comfortable without worrying about losing gains.

Our analysis is based on the evidence we have reviewed up to this point. As more research becomes available, our understanding may shift. The evidence we have reviewed leans toward the conclusion that knee angle is not a major factor for soleus development. Not enough evidence exists to say whether other variables, like foot position or weight, might interact with knee angle in ways we have not yet seen.

For your next workout, pick the calf raise style that feels natural to you. Whether you lock your legs or keep a slight bend, you can focus on lifting the weight with control. Consistency and proper form will matter more than adjusting your knee position.

Evidence from Studies

1
Supporting (0)
No supporting evidence found
Contradicting (1)

The soleus muscle exhibits comparable hypertrophic responses to resistance training regardless of knee joint angle, with standing and seated calf raises producing similar volume increases of 2.1% and 2.9%, respectively. This indicates that soleus growth is less dependent on muscle length during plantarflexion compared to the biarticular gastrocnemius, likely due to its anatomical position crossing only the ankle joint.

Triceps surae muscle hypertrophy is greater after standing versus seated calf-raise training
study
0
Primary Studies (1)

Triceps surae muscle hypertrophy is greater after standing versus seated calf-raise training

DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1272106

Update History

Published
May 19, 2026·Last updated May 19, 2026
  • May 19, 2026New topic created from assertion
Does knee joint angle affect soleus muscle growth during calf raises? | Evidence-Based Answer | Fit Body Science