Researchers in the physiotherapy department of Monash
Medical centre have devised exercises that help to lengthen the calf muscles of
toddlers who have been toe walkers all their lives.
Steps for this simple exercise are:
Step One: Stand your toddler up on an inclined plane.
Step Two: Let the child walk up the plane on toes.
Step Three: Now its time to turn back and walk down using the calf
muscles.
These are called ‘calf muscle-lengthening exercises’ in medical parlance.
According to Dr Paul Percival at the Monash Medical Centre, "The calf
muscles of toe-walking children tend to progressively shorten as they grow,
until they are unable to put their heels on the ground.
For them to walk with a heel strike, rather than on their toes, their calf
muscles need to be lengthened."