Tackling Calf Tightness and Strains at Therry Penola Football Club
Does this sound like you?
- Calves feeling tight in the second half of footy?
- Calf tightness after football training and matches?
- Calf cramping after high volumes of running on the field?
- ‘Pin point’ areas of tightness and pain in your calf muscle?
- Asking the sports trainer for regular calf rubs pre-game or during the game?
You could be suffering from calf tightness or a calf muscle strain, a common musculoskeletal injury in football players. Commonly seen within the AFL setting, players often complain of tight calves after high-volume running loads, including the ¾ time break or post-game. As a result of calf fatigue, players may suffer from calf cramping or, in more severe cases, calf muscle strain. Both can lead to significant tightness or pain within the calves, often requiring longer recovery periods due to the restricted stretch tolerance of the muscles.
Why Do Calf Tightness and Strains Occur?
Multiple factors can contribute to the development of calf tightness and strains, highlighting the importance of investigating these issues with your local podiatrist. Contributing factors include:
- Reduced muscle strength (when running volume exceeds muscle capacity)
- Running distances and velocity
- Ground surfaces
- Footwear
Effective Treatment Options
The great news is that calf strains and tightness can be treated and managed with appropriate therapy and treatment plans, which vary between players. One highly effective treatment backed by extensive research is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Available at Melbourne Podiatry Clinic, shockwave therapy can accelerate the healing and remodeling cycle of strains and tightness in the triceps surae complex (calf muscle). This promotes the healing of injured muscle fibers within the calf muscle, aiding recovery and reducing the risk of future calf muscle strains.
A study published by the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research in 2022 reported that integrating shockwave therapy into treatment plans reduced the median layoff times for calf tightness by up to 58% and for calf strains by 55%.
Preventing Calf Tightness and Strains
Are there ways players can prevent calf tightness and strains during the season? Absolutely. Further assessment can determine key contributing factors, including:
- VALD Strength Testing: Identify the total amount of force the calf muscles can produce to ensure it meets the demands of football.
- Rehab Exercise Program: Improve calf strength and endurance to return to sport or prevent ongoing strain.
- Footwear Assessment: Identify if your current runners or football boots are causing excessive strain on the calf muscles.
- Biomechanical Assessment: Gait and foot posture assessments to identify joint range of movement influence and plantar pressure distribution.
If these therapies, including shockwave therapy, sound like they would benefit you, an appointment with a podiatrist can be arranged through our online booking system or by contacting our reception team at 9993 0461.
