What are the causes of calf muscle strain during running?

　　Muscle strain is not a trivial matter. When running for fitness, if the details are not done well, it is easy to cause muscle strain, especially calf muscle strain. So what are the causes of calf muscle strain? Learn along with this article!

　　Causes of calf muscle strain

　　Failure to warm up adequately or stretch properly after training can lead to calf pain, excessive climbing, or a sudden increase in training volume. Most beginner runners will ignore the consequences of calf soreness and aggravate the injury. Sudden adjustments in stride that change your landing pattern (from heel strike to forefoot strike) increase the likelihood of calf muscle strain.

　　Dehydration during training can also cause pain in the calf muscles. Many runners do not pay attention to hydration during training. At the same time, the massive secretion of sweat leads to the loss of calcium, potassium and some trace elements, which can also cause muscle pain. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish water and minerals properly during exercise.

　　The most common cause is eversion (pronation) of the foot, a foot shape that puts extra stress on the calf muscles and Achilles tendon during movement, increasing the likelihood of injury.

　　Calf strain symptoms

　　local pain, tenderness； Swelling, muscle tightness, stiffness, cramps ； Dysfunction. Pain worsens when the injured muscle actively contracts or passively lengthens ； The muscle contraction resistance test is positive, that is, the pain increases or a broken depression appears.

　　Some injured people have a tear-like feeling when injured, with obvious swelling and severe subcutaneous congestion. If there is a depression in the local area or an abnormal bulge at one end when touched, it may be a muscle rupture.

　　Ways to Treat and Relieve Calf Strain

　　The initial treatment is mainly ice compress. It is recommended to use professional ice packs, which are more effective. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help reduce swelling of internal muscles. Be careful not to take them before exercise. If you want to recover as quickly as possible, it is best to rest for about a week and then gradually resume training. Foot orthotics or suitable running shoes can help you reduce a series of injuries during training after recovery. Some high-tech compression equipment can also help reduce calf muscle pressure, especially when worn during training, which has a better effect. If conditions permit, professional massage is very helpful, but you can also purchase specialized massage equipment to assist, which will also have obvious effects.