muscle on the front of the leg sore. - JP Fitness Forums

karky · 07-22-2006, 10:11 AM

So im sore in a place ive never been sore before. I dont know what the muscle is called, its not the calf, but theone on front of the leg, i guess its the muscle that you use when you pull foot/toes up.
I just found it weird, because ive never been sore there before, but then i started thinking, could this have something to do with me playing soccer for the first time in ages again yesterday? and is this a muscle worth training? or does it get trained by doing squats and such, just that i dont know it?

EDIT: i think i figured out what its called : Tibialis Anterior

John Izzo · 07-22-2006, 10:45 AM

You got it!

Frank.S · 07-22-2006, 10:48 AM

Ive seen a machine used to train that muscle..

Mind you the only person i saw using it was a lady who must have weighed 300lbs..

karky · 07-22-2006, 10:54 AM

its gotta be a small muscle, so im pretty sure working it is.. well no point. ive never seen someone doing an exersice to isolate this muscle. I do feel it when driving though, when you gotta keep the gas just like 1 cm inn, and you gotta keep your foot up (even though its tempting to just push it all the way down :P)
PS: just started driving like half a year ago. Just practicing though, im only 17.

John Izzo · 07-22-2006, 11:08 AM

There is a small piece of equipment that is used to strengthen the tibialis.
Its called a DARD. Forgot if it stands for something. Nowadays, we tend to used thera-bands to strengthen it. I never see anyone training the front of the leg in the gym, and since I have been performing ankle flexion exercises, it has helped my lower leg developement. It is a very important muscle and I gaurantee your lower leg size (including calves) will see a difference.

RacerBill · 07-22-2006, 11:29 AM

Not to hijack this post, but I think this is a related issue. Wouldn't training with calf raises with full range of motion (heels below toes to heels above toes) train both the calves AND the tibialis anterior? I think you implied that in that last sentence, John, and I just want to be sure.

karky · 07-22-2006, 11:33 AM

dont worry Racer, your not hijacking.
Hmm, i cant personally see how that would work it, but then again im no expert, but since its at the front of the leg, and not the back, how would this help the calves contraction on the calv rises?

Lisa~ · 07-22-2006, 03:35 PM

karky, it is definitely sore because you played soccer yesterday. Just too much too soon. Just ease back into soccer and I think you'll have it covered.

karky · 07-22-2006, 03:41 PM

it probobly wont be something regular, i was just doing it with the friends i used to play soccer with earlier... back when i was like 10-14 years old (im 17 now) i guess its cuz when you shoot the ball, you shoot it with your fot, and that muscle has to withold the pressure so the foot doesnt get torn back? im guessing that since its only in my right leg, the leg i shoot with. it really hurts if i put strain on it, i think ill just go easy for a while and maybe do some simple "moving it around" stuff to get some blood flowing.

and on a side note: It was really fun, we all laughed at how much we sucked and how we actually all used to be pretty good at that game before:P

John Izzo · 07-22-2006, 09:58 PM

The tibialis is responsible for ankle extension. IN order for teh tibialis to get worked it needs training under concentric loads. The calf raise is great for eccentric work on that muscle, but i snot as effective as resisted ankle extention with a cable, band, or DARD.

Obvisously, he is sore because its been awhile since karky has performed ballistic movements--escpecically the stop and go action of soccer--and that is why they are sore. It is a conditioning issue for the muscle.

Jokerz · 07-22-2006, 10:02 PM

can't really add much to what there said, but just be glad you don't have shin splints... they suck.

i usualy do the full ROM calf raises and the alphabet exercise for my shins, i've never even heard of DARD is it a machine or what?

karky · 07-23-2006, 05:46 AM

ok, thanks everyone!

Lost Dog · 07-23-2006, 09:59 AM

I actually work that muscle. You can do an exercise with just a dumbbell and a bench.

Sit on a bench, feet on the ground, put a db between your feet, so that the top weight rests on the top of your feet and the bottom weight is on the ground. Lean back, extending your legs and lifting the dbs off the ground. Now bring your toes upward as high as you can. Leave your legs straight, only flexing your ankles. It doesn't take a lot of weight. I do them during that boring time between calf raises.

The action of lifting the toes upward is called dorsiflexion. DB Dorsiflexion is what this exercise is called.

John Izzo · 07-23-2006, 10:06 AM

LD--dorsiflexion--where was my head??

DARD stands for Dynamic Axle Resistance Device, ables you to strengthen major muscle groups in the arms and legs. ... The Dynamic Axial Resistance Device (DARD) is designed to develop strength and stability in the ankles.

The DARD can be found at: http://www.lifestylesport.com/dard.htm

Lisa~ · 07-23-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost_Dog

DB Dorsiflexion is what this exercise is called.

I just happened to be looking through Neanderthal No More for Paul and there is a picture of Mike Robertson doing this particular lift. In his description he says to be sure to lock the knees to keep the quads from assisting with the movement, and he is sitting way back on the bench, resting his calves on the bench itself.

Neanderthal No More, Part IV

Lost Dog · 07-23-2006, 10:19 AM

Thanks, I was looking for a picture, but couldn't find one!

Lisa~ · 07-23-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost_Dog

Thanks, I was looking for a picture, but couldn't find one!

You're welcome!