A therapist treating a young athlete with gastrocnemius strength of fair plus (3+/5) in the prone position; which exercise is MOST appropriate to maximize strengthening?

A therapist treating a young athlete with gastrocnemius strength of fair plus (3+/5) in the prone position; which exercise is MOST appropriate to maximize strengthening?

• A. Resistive exercises with the knee bent
• B. Resistive exercises with the knee straight
• C. Active exercises with the knee bent
• D. Active exercises with the knee straight

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the gastrocnemius works best as a plantarflexor when the knee is straight. It crosses both the knee and the ankle, so with the knee extended, the gastrocnemius is stretched over the knee and can generate more force during plantarflexion. If the knee is bent, the gastrocnemius becomes slack and the soleus takes on most of the work, so you don’t load the gastrocnemius as effectively. Adding resistance (instead of just moving actively) provides a stronger strengthening stimulus, and keeping the knee straight ensures the gastrocnemius remains engaged throughout the movement. Therefore, resistive plantarflexion with the knee straight maximizes strengthening of the gastrocnemius.

The key idea is that the gastrocnemius works best as a plantarflexor when the knee is straight. It crosses both the knee and the ankle, so with the knee extended, the gastrocnemius is stretched over the knee and can generate more force during plantarflexion. If the knee is bent, the gastrocnemius becomes slack and the soleus takes on most of the work, so you don’t load the gastrocnemius as effectively. Adding resistance (instead of just moving actively) provides a stronger strengthening stimulus, and keeping the knee straight ensures the gastrocnemius remains engaged throughout the movement. Therefore, resistive plantarflexion with the knee straight maximizes strengthening of the gastrocnemius.