Calf Rolling
Seated with legs extended (hands supporting, buttocks lifted) · Feeling of tightness in the calf (triceps surae)
Feeling of tightness in the calf (triceps surae)
Position and focus
Seated with legs extended (hands supporting, buttocks lifted) · Feeling of tightness in the calf (triceps surae)
Starting position
Place the roller across and sit with one calf on it. Bend the other knee with the foot on the floor, and place both hands on the floor behind you for support.
Movement phases
1. Set up
Support yourself with your hands and the other foot, and lift your buttocks slightly off the floor.
2. Roll towards the knee
Move your body forwards, slowly rolling the roller from just above the ankle to just below the knee.
3. Roll back
At the same speed, come back to just above the ankle.
4. Lower and rest
Lower your buttocks and rest the leg.
What to check yourself
Is the calf being pressed down hard despite pain? Is the back of the knee being pressed directly? Are the shoulders shrugging?
Coaching points for trainers
Keep the pressure within a "comfortable to light" range. Cue the client to roll slowly rather than going back and forth quickly. If the pressure is too strong, do it with the buttocks resting on the floor.
Caution
Do not press hard through pain. Stop if you feel sharp pain, numbness or dizziness. If you have osteoporosis, pain under treatment, have had surgery or are pregnant, check with your healthcare professional. Do not press on the back of the knee or on the shin bone. If you have sudden puffiness, swelling or pain, a history of blood clots, or varicose veins in the legs, do not do this exercise; check with your healthcare professional.
These English notes describe a prototype model. The stretch, foam roller and resistance band lessons are being produced under the supervision of CoconeRu. Move, reviewed in stages. They are not medical advice or an individual exercise prescription.
References
Each note describes what the whole source covers.
Wiewelhove T et al. A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Foam Rolling on Performance and Recovery. Front Physiol. 2019 ↗
A meta-analysis of foam rolling before and after exercise. Small improvements in flexibility and sprint performance before exercise and reduced muscle soreness after exercise are reported; the effects are small.
Konrad A et al. Foam Rolling Training Effects on Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2022 ↗
A systematic review of changes in range of motion after several weeks of foam rolling.
This lesson was put together for this site from the methods for the same area in the sources above. It has not yet been reviewed by an expert.
About this page
It shows a typical way to do the movement. The 3D is a schematic model; it does not decide whether a lesson suits you, prescribe exercise or diagnose anything. Stop if you feel pain or discomfort.
Sources, supervision and revisions