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chevy666 · May 19, 2011, 06:01 AM

Hi,
I just have a question on possible reasons for tightness in lower leg muscles when walking a couple blocks? Please let me know. Thank you!

Eileen G · May 19, 2011, 10:29 AM

Could be lots of things. The obvious is that you are walking vigorously without having warmed up. What sort of shoes do you wear walking? Are they the same ones you normally wear? What other exercise do you do?

FadedMaster · May 19, 2011, 02:26 PM

Also, if you are power walking or something similar, are you stretching before and after? Make sure you drink plenty of water too. Dehydration can cause muscle aches.

chevy666 · May 23, 2011, 05:02 AM

I wear TurnTec running shoes. And yes I wear them whenever I walk anywhere more than 2 or 3 blocks. Also currently just walking for exercise.

chevy666 · May 23, 2011, 05:03 AM

No, do you have any tips, or advice for stretching. And OK thank you, both of your answers were very helpful!

Eileen G · May 23, 2011, 01:17 PM

If you normally wear heels, and you put on running shoes for vigorous walking, your calf muscles can take a pounding. Heels tend to shorten calf muscles and you need to do extra stretching to counter this.

A very good stretch is standing with your toes on a step, and let your heels drop down as far as possible. Hold until it gets uncomfortable, stand down for a moment, and then repeat. Do a little running on the spot before you do this, just to warm up your muscles.

You can also sit on the floor and loop a strap or towel round your toes, and pull them back towards you until you feel a strong stretch in your calves.

Also check out hamstring stretches, they tend to get tight with a lot of sitting.