Why do my Calves Hurt When I Run?
If your calves hurt when you run, it could be PAES, a vascular condition affecting young athletes. That may not be enough. Kindly read further to get the full details.
Calves’ pain is normal after an injury, but runners frequently complain of calf pain with no history of trauma to the area.
The key in these cases, as in many others in running, is identifying the cause and correcting it.
What Makes my Calves Hurt When I Run?
Below are some of the reasons your calves may hurt when you run. Kindly study them carefully:
1. Insufficient Calf Strength
The strength of the calf muscles in addition to other muscles in the legs and core is an important piece of the puzzle to being a strong overall runner.
The muscles that make up your calves, including the soleus and gastrocnemius, assist in propelling you forward.
But when the calf muscles are weak, you may push them too hard during your runs, leaving them sore and potentially increasing your risk for injury.
2. Poor Ankle Mobility
Running is a single-leg exercise you’re always moving on one leg at a time. Because of this, balance and stability are incredibly important, especially in the ankles.
If your ankles lack mobility and flexibility, it could negatively impact your running gait, which, in turn, could lead to calf pain.
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3. Weak Glutes and Hamstrings
Weaknesses upstream can cause a trickle-down effect and end up causing calf pain and discomfort.
“The glutes are much bigger and more powerful muscles so if they shut down or are weak, the smaller muscles like the calves will take more on and can fatigue more easily,” Fulop says.
4. Wearing the Wrong Shoes
Choosing a running shoe can be a really personal choice, and the right one for you should be based on a lot more than just aesthetics, Whitley says.
The wrong sneaker can cause issues up the kinetic chain including, yes, straining the calf muscles or muscles further up resulting in too much pressure on the calves, leading to overuse and pain.
“While there are loads of different sneakers based on different foot types, the most important thing is you find one that feels right for you,” Whitley says.
A July 2015 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that comfort is the most important factor in staving off injury on the run, more so than shopping based on your gait type.
How do I Stop my Calves from Hurting when I Run?
But choosing the right types of stretches can make a difference in reducing your calf pain while running.
The downward-facing dog yoga pose, straight-leg and lunging calf stretch, as well as calf roll are all great ways to loosen your calves and prevent pain.
Why do my Calves Get so Tight when I Run?
Most people will experience tightness before a run which eases as they begin to hit their stride.
Other runners will experience tightness while running. For this group, the problem often stems from biomechanical problems in which the foot strikes the ground unevenly and places excessive stress on the calf muscles.
How do I Loosen my Calves Before Running?
Stand near a wall with one foot in front of the other, front knee slightly bent. Keep your back knee straight, your heel on the ground, and lean toward the wall.
Feel the stretch all along the calf of your back leg. Hold this stretch for 20-30 seconds.
Should I Stretch my Calves Before Running?
You should stretch your muscles on a regular basis and perform specific strength exercises.
Calf stretches and calf workouts will prepare your legs for stronger running and fewer injuries in your calves, hips, and hamstrings.
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In conclusion, poor calves’ strength, wearing bad shoes, and weak glutes are some of the major causes of hurt in the calves during running. If this content has solved your problem, why not share it?
CSN Team.