Muscle imbalances....

[Half Seven Buzzer]

Apologies for the dull thread title, but it's early yet.

A question for the learned folk what read these ramblings....

How important is it (for us runners) to redress inequalities in muscle sizes? The circumference of my right leg (rould the calf) is 3-4cm more than my left, and similar round the hamstrings. Logic says that this is not ideal, and that I should therefore build up the muscles on the left leg.

What do we think?

[Ady In Accy]

Did you use a scooter a lot as a kid?

[Mud]

Former track runner, maybe?

[Wheeze]

First, answer the question 'why'. Only then can you know what you should do about it. The eventual outcome will be trouble.

[Gaz]

Half Seven Buzzer, does the imbalance present as a functional problem or pain etc.... If not don't worry

Gaz

[detritus21]

If the you are asymptomatic (no symptoms) there should be no reason to address muscle imbalance. If you are suffering then it could be a thing to address. Muscle bulk may be different but you may find that the strength between the two legs is equal. The problems associated with muscle imbalance can often be attributed more to muscles that work together particularly in control and stability modes. One classic muscle imbalance are the imbalances between the quads and the hamstrings I believe this was on eof hte reasons Michael Owen suffered with injury early in his career. Generally the Muscle imbalances people have are a way the body has come to cope with another problem.

Since I have addressed problems of muscle imbalance around my pelvis I have found it has flared off other problems which you then have to address. So my advice would be unless you have a problem leave well alone. I know plenty of my colleagues would argue differently though.

[Half Seven Buzzer]

Well, I am right-footed, and I used to play football a lot (although not quite at Michael Owen's level, mind you), until 2 or 3 years ago. Sadly, I never had a scooter. I still do some track running, but only a few reps once a week.

Lately I sometimes get 'tightness' deep in the right calf when I run, like cramp is coming but never quite materialises. It is usually alleviated by stretching afterwards, and regularly at other times. But there seems to be less flexibility in the right calf (vs. left), so I began wondering if the muscle 'size' had any bearing at all.

Maybe it's time to go to the physio again. It's been a few months now....

Thanks all for your replies.

Alan

[Mud]

The circumference of my right leg (rould the calf) is 3-4cm more than my left, and similar round the hamstrings.

I was thinking that a good solution would be using two tape measures.

The first one is normal, and you do your right leg with this one.

The second tape measure, you cut the first 4cm off, and then measure your left leg with the remaining length. Hey presto, your legs are the same size.

You can then also use the adjusted and improved tape, to measure lots of other things that you want to make sound longer. Most boys seem to have one of these.