Article describing some research into these inter-related subjects. Takeaway:
Runners use their calf and ankle muscles less as they age, leading to lower running speed, likely becauseCalf and ankle muscles appear to age more quickly than other musclesStrength conditioning of those muscles might address these issues
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/why-runners-get-slower-with-age-and-how-strength-training-may-help
Article describing some research into these inter-related subjects. Takeaway:
Runners use their calf and ankle muscles less as they age, leading to lower running speed, likely becauseCalf and ankle muscles appear to age more quickly than other musclesStrength conditioning of those muscles might address these issues
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...th-training-may-help
So… squats?
Article describing some research into these inter-related subjects. Takeaway:
Runners use their calf and ankle muscles less as they age, leading to lower running speed, likely becauseCalf and ankle muscles appear to age more quickly than other musclesStrength conditioning of those muscles might address these issues
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...th-training-may-help
So… squats?
Isn’t that the answer to everything?
Article describing some research into these inter-related subjects. Takeaway:
Runners use their calf and ankle muscles less as they age, leading to lower running speed, likely becauseCalf and ankle muscles appear to age more quickly than other musclesStrength conditioning of those muscles might address these issues
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...th-training-may-help
So… squats?
Isn’t that the answer to everything?
I’d say yes, but eagerly await the usual “strength training does nothing” mafia on here.
Article describing some research into these inter-related subjects. Takeaway:
Runners use their calf and ankle muscles less as they age, leading to lower running speed, likely becauseCalf and ankle muscles appear to age more quickly than other musclesStrength conditioning of those muscles might address these issues
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...th-training-may-help
So… squats?
Isn’t that the answer to everything?
I’d say yes, but eagerly await the usual “strength training does nothing” mafia on here.
I think Jason was being facetious (look at my profile, for instance).
Do cycling and swimming help us keep those muscles strong and flexible compared to an athlete who just runs?
Article describing some research into these inter-related subjects. Takeaway:
Runners use their calf and ankle muscles less as they age, leading to lower running speed, likely becauseCalf and ankle muscles appear to age more quickly than other musclesStrength conditioning of those muscles might address these issues
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/...th-training-may-help
So… squats?
Isn’t that the answer to everything?
Never had a problem that a good squat couldn’t solve.
I pop a squat every morning and it makes me feel better
.
I pop a squat every morning and it makes me feel better
be interesting to see how the results of the NYT piece varied depending on the test subject’s preferred evacuation posture. maybe it’s these toilet seats that are letting our calf muscles wane away.
I bought a pair of Altura shoes this year & within a week the zero drop had placed enough stress on my achilles that it was barking at me. To no surprise not long after, I had a season threatening injury that has left me with only able to compete 2 triathlons not close to 100%. My run basically has been destroyed all season post injury. I can run but not fast. I credit it to not only age, but the injury which resulted from too much stress which weakened me & then tore my soleus (per the doctor) during a race. Yes, I noticed this & totally agree age really wreaks havoc on the calf area from my personal experience the last few years. *Note: the shoes are sitting in a closet & I’ve gone back to the wicked awesome 10 mm drop of Adidas.
There is also data in older adults that neuromuscular function decreases with aging.
Which leads me to the question if you do things to combat that, do you atrophy/age muscles around the calf/ankle as fast? Can you stave off that decline for another 2-3 or 5 or 10 years?
There is also data in older adults that neuromuscular function decreases with aging.
Which leads me to the question if you do things to combat that, do you atrophy/age muscles around the calf/ankle as fast? Can you stave off that decline for another 2-3 or 5 or 10 years?
I would say “yes, but…”. I think the workouts can be changed to combat these particular issues and give older runners their best chance from an injury/strength/performance standpoint. However, I would still expect to see eventual performance loss generated by the necessary reduction in total milage from those workout changes.
I bought a pair of Altura shoes this year & within a week the zero drop had placed enough stress on my achilles that it was barking at me. To no surprise not long after, I had a season threatening injury that has left me with only able to compete 2 triathlons not close to 100%. My run basically has been destroyed all season post injury. I can run but not fast. I credit it to not only age, but the injury which resulted from too much stress which weakened me & then tore my soleus (per the doctor) during a race. Yes, I noticed this & totally agree age really wreaks havoc on the calf area from my personal experience the last few years. *Note: the shoes are sitting in a closet & I’ve gone back to the wicked awesome 10 mm drop of Adidas.
It’s not very scientific to mix two independent variables into an experiment – in your case age and the move to zero drop. The move to zero drop must be handled gradually and slowly. I guess the older you are, the slower you will adapt, so the slower it should go. I’m not sure it follows, however, that zero drop is more dangerous than 10mm drop (for previously adapted runners).
Ken,
It’s called, “Old-Man-Calf-Syndrome”!
In my few limited attempts at a come-back to running, it’s cut the whole thing short and I have retreated to the bike.
I’ve talked to a number of other 45+ runners, many from a higher performance back-ground, and it’s always the same story - this mysterious locking-up of one or both calves after a relativly speaking very limited amount of running.
A chiropractor friend of mine thinks that it may be because of nerve compression in the spine. You don’t even know that it’s there - until you start running and then, after 10 - 15 . . . wham! Your calf completely locks up!
It seems that most of the “injuries” that I get are just cramps that present themselves in unexpected times and places.
This was the case with the last calf “injury” I had.
No good taking time off and waiting for a cramp to get better.
It seems that most of the “injuries” that I get are just cramps that present themselves in unexpected times and places.
For me, and the others I have talked to about this Old-Man-Calf-Syndrome, does feel a bit like a “cramp”, but how could it be a classic cramp, when it comes on 10 - 15min into an easy run?
Steve, so far, at 58, I guess I am lucky. Have never, yet, had this issue.
Any thoughts on why some do, and some might not?
Dave - see post #14
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Dave - see post #14
So, can this be proven?
Can it be treated?
I must have the wrong old running friends since I have not heard any of them complain about this, yet.
Old-Man-Calf-Syndrome, huh? So that’s what it’s called.
Calf muscle tear last summer, off and on tendinitis this summer for me.