Footballer with weak/sore calf muscles

Hi all,

I'm 19 years old and play competitive football for my university first team, training and playing 4 times a week. I am beginning to suffer increasingly from a feeling of lethargy and weakness in my calf muscles. Often, by the end of the team warm up before a game kicks off, my calf muscles feel particularly worn out.

I am the first to admit that my legs are not naturally my strongest muscles, however I am worried about how inhibiting this calf issue will be on my game. I'm hoping someone will be able to provide me with some advice as to how to combat this issue! With training 4 times a week I rarely get much time to do leg strengthening exercises in the gym, so maybe there is something I can do at home. Alternatively, maybe a better recovery plan the day after training/matches (my current one is limited to a few stretches) would ease the issue.

Looking forward to receiving some helpful advice!

Hi kcob91

Could be a few things going on:

May be worthwhile getting it checked out with a Dr. Unlikely but just in case there is a medical problem underlying symptoms

You may be overtraining. In which case some guidance with a sports physio would be good -probably a good investment so that it doesn't get worse

There are some specific musculoskeletal problems such as tendinopthy or a comprment syndrome. A sports physio on this site might give you a more informed opinion. However given your passion I would go and have it checked out with a physio or sports med Dr.