Standardising your testing protocol is crucial in maximising inter and intra-rater reliability. Below is a quick summary of the literature for the seated calf raise test.

Position

Replicated from Matt Lee and colleagues (2023) paper, they describe the following position:

Set-up

• Knee @ 90 - 110°
• Ankle @ maximal dorsiflexion
• Rachet strap to secure test position
• Pre-tension to 30kg on plate

Mike Lancaster in a recent Sports MAP Masterclass also had some tips to help standardise your results:

• Knee in-line with big toe – use a ruler or dowel for this (image)
• Adjust seat to ensure hip angle is at 90°
• Non-testing limb is in-line with testing foot, so hips are squared-on.
• Hands on hips.

Protocol

Lee’s paper described:

• x3 maximal isometric contractions
• 3-4” effort
• 3-5” rest

Contrastingly, Mike Lancaster described a slightly different protocol:

• x8 maximal isometric contractions
• 2” effort
• 10” rest
• Examining the best 3 and 5 repetitions
• Analyse data at 50ms, 100ms and 150ms

Mike describes how this protocol was designed to ensure the cleanest data possible. 

It’s worth noting, that extensive pilot work performed by Seth O’Neill discovered that 97% of subjects generated peak force within three or fewer repetitions.

Moreover, the force differed by <3% in the remaining participants, who developed peak force outside the initial three repetitions.

Importantly, in O’Neill’s (2023) study, a 30” rest periods were used. It was shown longer periods of rest (>30”) did not produce any increase in force output.

Numbers

The key here is to know the subtle differences in each sport:

Matt Lee (2023) found male rugby players vary in output pending playing position

• Backs: x2.0 bodyweight
• Forwards: x1.75 bodyweight

Mike Lancaster outlined his preference for >2.0x bodyweight in the rugby athlete.

Kevin Lieberthal in his Masterclass aims for his endurance runners to be between x1.7 – x2.0 bodyweight

Tim Sayers in episode #36 podcast strives for x1.3 – x1.5 in his post-operative ACL female athletes.

Adam Mattiussi and colleagues (2022) saw numbers closer to x2.3 bodyweight in professional ballet dancers

Want more?

References:

Lee, M, Lancaster, M, Tulloch, L, O’Leary, B, Power, E, Howes, D, Sourbuts, B, Berry, A, Maher, F, O’Neill, S. Normative isometric plantarflexion strength values for professional level, male rugby union athletes. Phys. Ther. Sport 2023, 61, 114–121.

O'Neill S, Weeks A, Nørgaard JE, Jorgensen MG. Validity and intrarater reliability of a novel device for assessing Plantar flexor strength. PLoS One. 2023 Mar 31;18(3)

Mattiussi AM, Shaw JW, Cohen DD, Price P, Brown DD, Pedler CR, Tallent J. Reliability, variability, and minimal detectable change of bilateral and unilateral lower extremity isometric force tests. J Sport Ex Science. 2022 6:1-9.