Calf and ankle soreness during/after indoor football?

i am a fit man,


i cycle and play football


but during indoor six a side football i get pain in both ankles (inside and out) and both calf muscles.


it lasts for the first 30 minutes of football then seems to ease off. it feels like a dull ache/ close to numbness,as if my shoes are on to tight. but this is not the case. sometimes i might not get it for months ,then i might get it every week. wnen i went to the doctors he told me to rest it for a few weeks. but if i did that every time i would miss about 4 months every year.


i cycle maybe twice a week and play football 1-2 a week so i know i dont overdo it.


could it be a foot wear problem?


i do wear indoor/flat football trainers


any help/advice / other sufferers would be great.

Calf and ankle soreness during/after indoor football?
There are a few things this could be, one of them being your footwear, as you have identified. You may have fallen - or falling- arches, either caused or excaberated by your footwear.





If you can't get your GP to play ball (pun only slightly intended) and refer you to a podiatrist, it might be worth a private consultation. If you can't find a podiatrist, go to a physio.





It could be much simpler - firstly try lacing your shoes differently - they might just be too tight, especially if you have wide feet. Nikes are better for wide fit than many other shoes and Reebok tend to be very narrow fitting.





You may have particularly tight calf muscles. Try increaseasing the amount of stretching you do and hold your lower leg stretches for at least 30secs at a time. The two main calf stretches are:


1) Stand one foot forward, one foot back


Toes of both feet facing forwards


Keeping back heel on the floor, adjust your weight forward by bending front knee.


Push heel hard into floor.


Stretch should be felt in back leg calf.





2) Stand one foot forward, one foot back


Lift toes of front foot and push toes against wall or an object that will keep toes and front of foot raised.


Keep back leg straight.


Bend front knee and push as much weight as is comfortable down through calf of front foot.





If your ankle joints are stiff (particular if from old injuries) do warm up exercises like ankle rolls to mobilise the joint before exercise and whenever else they are stiff.





You might want to do some strength exercises too, like one leg squats, lunges etc.





Also consider massage and "trigger point" (myofascial release) for the lower leg - ask a physio or fitness trainer.
Reply:It could be your footwear. What surface do you play footy on? If you play on astro turf you should wear proper astro turf boots as they will provide all the support you need for that surface. The turf itself provides the cushioning.


If you play in a sports hall then astro turf boots arent much good to you as they dont have much in the way of shock absorbtion. try some cross trainers instead as they have better cushioning and will support your feet and ankles better on the hard surface



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