Correlation between ankle plantar flexor strength and leg extensor torque.
Takashi Yoshizawa, Masahiro Kitamura, Nobuhiro Okamoto
PMID 32884168WHAT IT FOUND
In 52 healthy young adults, stronger ankle plantar flexor muscle was linked with greater leg extensor torque.
This was seen in both men and women. It does not show that calf strengthening improves standing or walking.
Key findings
01Ankle plantar flexor strength and leg extensor torque were positively related in both males and females.
02Leg extensor torque was higher in males than in females, and this difference was significant.
03Ankle plantar flexor strength did not differ significantly between males and females.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The participants were 52 healthy young adults with no leg problems, so the finding may not apply to older patients or people with mobility problems. The study measured strength and torque at the same time; it did not show that increasing ankle plantar flexor strength causes greater leg extensor torque or better standing or walking. The paper did not measure patient outcomes such as falling, standing up, or walking speed. The practical exercise suggestions in the Discussion are author interpretation, not tested in this study.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that ankle plantar flexor strengthening will improve leg extensor torque, standing, or walking in patients. This was a measurement study in 52 healthy young adults, and it did not test an exercise intervention or clinical function.