Are there relationships between calf muscle lengths and static and dynamic balance control?

The calf muscles provide mechanical constraints and somatosensorial feedback to maintain and regulate standing posture. The lengthening of the calf muscles varies among individuals. However, research studies on the influence of calf muscle length on postural balance are limited in young adults. This study aims to correlate the soleus and gastrocnemius (calf) estimated muscle length with the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).

The study included 47 healthy young adult participants without lower limb injuries. The ankle goniometry was used to estimate the soleus and gastrocnemius length and BESS and SEBT to quantify the static and dynamic balance control. The Pearson correlations and subsequent regression analysis were used to assess the relationships.

A statistically significant positive/negative and moderate linear relationship existed between gastrocnemius length and BESS test score (r = 0.45, n = 47, p < 0.001) and soleus length and SEBT scores in two directions (r = -0.30, n = 47, p = 0.03; r = -0.42, n = 47, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that gastrocnemius and soleus explained 21 % and 20 % of the variation in BESS and SEBT scores, respectively.

These results revealed that soleus and gastrocnemius estimated by ankle dorsiflexion influenced the postural balance tests used in the present study. Less flexibility in the calf muscles (shortness) might improve ankle stiffness and, consequently, ankle stability, reflecting better performance in the BESS and SEBT.