Tibialis anterior

yorkie85 · 09-Feb-05, 02:45 PM

I have mild soreness in my tibialis anterior muscles (the ones on the shins) after doing a set of dorsal flexions yesterday. (http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/An...l#anchor705630). They're basically inverted calf raises. It's an important muscle - particularly for drummers, and yet it could well be the most neglected. What are all your thoughts and justifications as to why you do/don't train it?

gcs118 · 09-Feb-05, 03:03 PM

Powerlifters have no need to work it, as it doesn't help in the Big 3. I assume bodybuilders don't work it because it's such a relatively small muscle, and doesn't get much mass like others can. I'm sure it also gets indirect work from squats and calf raises/seated calf raises, especially if you rock your toes back and forth. If you say you use it for drumming, the best workout for it is to drum a lot with it. I'm sure it's the same soreness you get from driving a manual in stop and go traffic for awhile.

scud · 11-Feb-05, 05:22 AM

strengthening this muscle prevents splint shins that occur during distance running. If u have not been running and suddenly u run a lot u may get splint shins. so strengthening this muscle may be beneficial when u run a lot for your cardio durring the cutting phase

**Lady C** · 11-Feb-05, 07:21 AM

Occassionally I do a set or two of specific calf raises but I will do them on a step and go all the way down so that I do work those muscles. They are extremely important to prevent shin splints for running.

CF-OC_gal · 11-Feb-05, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie85

I have mild soreness in my tibialis anterior muscles (the ones on the shins) after doing a set of dorsal flexions yesterday. (http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/An...l#anchor705630). They're basically inverted calf raises. It's an important muscle - particularly for drummers, and yet it could well be the most neglected. What are all your thoughts and justifications as to why you do/don't train it?

I included that specific exercise as a precaution for an 8 week period when I was first starting to run.

yorkie85 · 11-Feb-05, 02:54 PM

They are small in terms of volume and not that practical in the real world, but they're antagonistically paired with the calves, which are one of the strongest muscles. I'd have thought not training them would be like having massive triceps and undeveloped biceps.

gcs118 · 11-Feb-05, 04:05 PM

I don't think so really. I ran track for 4 years, almost always on asphalt/pavement, and I never once got shin splints. I think some people are more prone to it than others, although working the muscle out may play a role.

scud · 12-Feb-05, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcs118

I don't think so really. I ran track for 4 years, almost always on asphalt/pavement, and I never once got shin splints.

that may be because u would have started nice and slow . It usually happens if u run a lot suddenly like if u have been away from running for a few years and suddenly u start running again u find that u still have a lot of endurance and run a lot of miles each day but after a week or two the pain starts. but someone starting afresh will improve his distance slowly giving those tibialis anterior muscles time to strengthen themselves

**Lady C** · 12-Feb-05, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcs118

I think some people are more prone to it than others, although working the muscle out may play a role.

That is exactly right. I have a running buddy that runs tons all the time and still gets shin splints. It has nothing to do with not running for awhile, it is more genetic. He even complains he gets them if he ties his shoes too tight.

Those that tend to get them should work those muscles on a regular basis to keep them strong.