Two muscles make up the "calf" muscles: the underlying soleus and the outer gastrocnemius. The soleus is only involved in plantar flexion (pointing of the toe). The gastrocnemius does both plantar flexion and knee flexion (bending the knee). This...
When looking for exercises that will target the calf muscles, first determine what type of equipment you plan on using. You can use your body weight, free weights or exercise machines. Each method has appropriate exercises available and each can...
This exercise can be done on a machine found at a gym or at home by resting weights on your lap or wearing ankle weights. Sit up straight with the feet flat on the floor. Press your toes into the floor and lit your heels up as high as you can....
When you walk or run, the muscles running along the back of your legs power your stride to propel you forward. Strengthening your calves will improve your stride, promote bone and ligament strength in your lower legs, reduce your risk of injury,...
Your calves are made up of two primary muscles -- the gastrocnemius and the soleus. They work together with other leg and hip muscles to flex and extend your foot at the ankle joint, to produce force when you move, such as running and walking, and...
Calf muscles atrophy for a number of reasons. Disuse following leg surgery, disease, nutritional deficiencies and genetic problems can cause the muscles in the calves to become weak and soft. Exercise, stretching and daily use can help with...
Simple exercises can train your calf muscles, but it can sometimes be a challenge to build them to the size and strength that you want. The calf is made up of two muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastrocnemius is visible from outside...
Strengthening your calf muscles not only offers a sleeker lower leg profile, but increases stability of the lower leg and ankle joint. You need your calf muscles to walk, climb stairs, jump and run. Also known as the gastrocnemius, the calf muscle...
Strengthening the calf muscles can be done by using a variety of activities and exercises, including running, weightlifting, stretching and swimming. These muscles play an important role in the performance of many everyday activities, such as...
Like many exercise related injuries, Achilles tendinitis, or pain in the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle, typically results from overuse and repetitive stress. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, or AAOS, says that a sudden...
Calf machine workouts are designed to build the two major muscles located in your calves. The gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles are the two muscles that must be developed in order to have large and toned calves. While many people perform calf...
Toe dipping is an exercise technique that can make it easier to build your stomach muscles and can help you strengthen your calf muscles when you are jumping rope. The latter is an exercise that is used to improve quickness and will help with...
Reasons for strengthening the calf muscles range from aesthetic improvement to injury rehabilitation. Injuries to this area for which calf strength training is an effective treatment include Achilles' tendinitis, shin splints and ankle sprains....
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition consisting of blood clots that forms in one or several deep veins in your legs. While the clots can often be treated with medication, some serious formations of deep vein thrombosis result in a pulminary...
Two main groups in the back of the lower part of the leg make up the calf muscle: the gastrocnemius, or gastroc for short, and the soleus. The calf muscles are one of the most common places for people to experience muscle cramps due to overuse or...
Tennis is a calf-intensive sport; most of the movements you make on a tennis court, from running to serving, involve the calf muscles. Swollen, strained and inflamed calves are common among tennis players. Short-term solutions include rest, ice...
There are three types of muscle contractions employed in strength training--concentric, eccentric and isometric. Concentric movements work against gravity to raise a weight. Eccentric movements control a downward movement with gravity. Isometrics...
There are two tibialis muscles in the lower leg -- the anterior and posterior. The anterior tibialis is the superficial muscle that covers your shin and is responsible for dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot; the posterior tibialis lies beneath...
Your lower leg has two major muscles responsible for plantarflexing your ankle, also known as pointing your toes or lifting your heels. The large, two-headed gastrocnemius muscle is readily visible from the outside of your body. The smaller soleus...
Strengthening the calf muscles can help tighten and tone the back portion of your lower legs, build metabolism-boosting lean muscle tissue, increase your bone density and reduce your risk of injury to the joints in your legs. As with any other...
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there nearly 25,000 ankle sprains that occur in the United States each day. A large number of these sprains are the result of participation in sports -- including soccer. A sprain occurs...
Classified as muscle cramps by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, foot cramps involve involuntary muscle contractions that do not relax. Cramps have a variety of pain levels from mild tics to unbearable pain. Cramps can occur many times...
The largest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, injury to your Achilles tendon generally occurs when you overtrain or do not condition the tendon...
Hammer toes are toe deformities that usually occur in the second, third and fourth toes. Hammer toes are the result of a bending of the middle joint of your toes, which causes a hammer-like look to your toes. When caught early, hammer toes are...
Exercise is always important in life. As you age, it becomes more important to maintaining strength, endurance and independence. If you are unable to exercise by walking or jogging, don't worry. Chair exercises have been developed to help you...
The ability to make impressive vertical leaps is an asset in just about any sport. Most athletes--basketball players, skiers, climbers, runners--strive throughout their training to increase leg strength and, in turn, vertical jump height. Jumping...
According to Sports Injury Clinic, 11 percent of all running injuries are the result of injuries to the Achilles tendon. Most of the time, Achilles pain can be alleviated with home treatment under the care of your doctor. But Achilles problems...
Basketball is a dynamic sport that simultaneously activates muscles throughout your body to coordinate complex, multi-joint movements with precision. Playing basketball can help you build muscular endurance, stamina and strength, because it...
Regular exercise can help you strengthen and tone your leg muscles, helping to relieve fatigue and providing a way to tone and shape your lower limbs. However, if tired, heavy legs are a symptom of restless leg syndrome, too much exercise can make...
Views 126
Views 54
Views 30
