Due to the nature of these skeletal muscles, high repetitions have become the popular way to develop them. This is situated around their muscle fibre type. The lower limb muscles are predominantly built of type 1 or slow twitch muscle fibres which respond better to higher repetitions. Type 2 muscles fibres are fast twitch orientated and are responsible for speed and power generation. The reason why our lower limbs are predominantly slow twitch is due to our need for these muscles to perform continuous tasks such as walking or even stabilising the ankles as we stand in one place for a long time. In my experience it is not necessary to individualise lower limb muscles within a weight training programme unless there is a special condition, including rehabilitation interventions and control of muscular imbalance. In running bio-mechanics I have repetitively witnessed runners with inactive anterior tibialis muscles. This is often down to practising movement with poor form.
Compound lifting may accidentally bring the lower leg into correct anatomical balance. Whilst lowering into a barbell squat the anterior tibialis undergoes stricken isometric contraction which basically means it's tensing hard whilst remaining perfectly still. This can counteract lower limb imbalances that are related to over development of the calves. If you are looking to build as good bulky looking calves then isolate them with heavy weights when you next visit the gym. Just remember to keep the repetitions high and watch out for imbalances. If you're a sports man, just stick to compound lifts.
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