11/03/2026
šš»āāļø RATIONALE BEHIND THE CHOSEN EXERCISES?
These can be seen as progression as well! You could start with the first one in the beginning of rehab (if mobility allows you). After these become easy, start with running/plyo progression⦠PS: There are many more variations out there, just wanted to keep it shorter and simpler - choosing the most important (effective) ones. Some vids are 2-4 times sped up!
1. Heels closer to the butt = less hams and more glutes (and vice versa). By moving from the ankle this way, hams need to resist slight flexion-extension switches, exactly whatās happening during faster runs (contact push phases). Fully extending hips will shorten the proximal hams, making it harder for the distal hams (plus engaging glutes more).
2. Including unloaded calf raises is even more run-specific. Very similar joint angles, good hams activation as during faster running contact phase.
3. Positive shin angle while doing calf raises, very specific to the contact and take-off phase. Soleus F and quad ISO F is important too.
4. And, the most specific and hardest one (including glute drive as well - hip ext. before knee ext.). You can externally load all the vars (load on hips - first 2; load in hands - last 2).
šš»āāļø WHEN TO AVOID SOME OF THESE?
If having 5+ out of 10 pain while performing the specific exercise.
āļø If youāre a rehab specialist, always look at the person in front of you first, do a good assessment, and choose if these exercises can (and should) be applied!
āļø If this feels like a perfect mix for you, try it out and let me know how it goes!
š¢ My friend, if you liked the post, I want you to share it with friend(s) who have lower limb issues and want to return to run. Feel free to comment, suggest, or ask anything (I didnāt cover many things)!
Yours in progressā¬ļøon,
Luka