Between ground contact and the mid stance phase of each stride the calf works isometrically and so the calf should be trained accordingly.
Improvements in isometric calf strength will lead to greater stiffness and energy return when you run improving running economic and speed.
These walks can be loaded in lots of different ways as shown here as well as barefoot to further develop the strength of the foot and ankle complex.
You can also play with different step rates, therefore slowing down or speeding up each isometric contraction.
You can really load these up with a barbell on the shoulders (>body mass on the bar) which has particular relevance to the high loads the calf must handle at faster running speeds.
Train hard. Train smart.
Daniel Lavipour is a strength and conditioning coach and athletics coach. He has prepared athletes for 4 Olympic Games and multiple world championships working in track and field as well as other endurance sports. He has also rehabbed many elite runners as the national lead rehabilitation coach for Team GB. He has also worked with hundreds of amateur and youth runners.
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