The Tibialis Anterior is an often overlooked and neglected leg muscle. This can have painful consequences!
Where is the Tibialis Anterior located?
The Tibialis Anterior runs down the front of the lower leg, from the outside of the knee across the top two-thirds of the front of the shin. Just above the ankle, the muscle transitions into a long tendon that extends across the medial (inside) side of the ankle and into the foot, attaching to the first metatarsal and first sphenoid bones.
What is the function of the tibialis anterior?
The Tibialis Anterior is responsible for dorsal flexion of the ankle (pulling the toes up toward the knee) and supination of the foot (allowing the foot to roll onto the outside edge). It also helps maintain the arch of the foot. In addition, it prevents the foot from inverting (rolling inward) too much. Functionally, it is involved in lowering the foot back to the ground when walking or running, which requires an eccentric contraction.
Why does my shin hurt?
The shin bone can hurt if you suffer from shin splints. This is most often manifested by pain at the junction of the tibia and the ankle joint. The reason for this is often an overstrained tibialis anterior.
What to do in case of Tibialis Anterior syndrome?
In acute Tibialis Anterior syndrome, rest is recommended until the pain has subsided. After that, you can start putting weight on the shin again. The tibialis anterior can also be accustomed to heavier loads by means of progressive overload.
How can you train the Tibialis Anterior?
One exercise that strengthens the tibialis through the entire range of motion is the Tibialis Raise with a Tib Bar. With the ability to add weights to the Tib Bar, the tibialis can be progressively trained at any level of demand.
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