The calf muscle, which runs from the back of the knee down to the ankle, is made up of one large muscle you can see (gastrocnemius), and a smaller muscle (soleus) under the gastrocnemius that is harder to pinpoint from the outside. A strong and healthy calf muscle is essential for a variety of functions, including obvious ones such as lifting the heel, and less obvious purposes, such as helping with circulation in the lower leg.
Raising the Heel
The primary function of the calf muscles is to raise the heels. Calf strains can happen to people whose muscles are stretched beyond what they can normally withstand, such as dancers who are up on their toes a lot. Strains also occur when a sudden stress is put on the calves, such as taking off in a sprint without any warm-up, according to the experts at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Circulation
The action of the calf muscle helps force blood from the lower leg back up to the heart, an important function in reducing the odds of blood clots and varicose veins forming in the lower leg. This is often why physicians encourage walking, particularly for heart patients, as one of the best ways to improve circulation in the legs and elsewhere.
Supporting the Knees and Hips
Because the calves have to support the weight of everything above them and help you move, they should be as long and lean as possible. The experts at Desk Jockey Fitness.com note that calf muscles tend to be "tonic," which means they can shorten under their burden, which might explain why women who wear high heels frequently have shorter calf muscles. Shorter calf muscles can lead to pain in the knees and hips, while firm, long and lean calf muscles can take some of the pressure off those joints.
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