The calf muscle is actually made up of two primary muscles: the gastrocnemius muscle and the soleus muscle. "The vast majority of injuries are to those two muscles," says Robert Gillanders, a ...

Large muscles like the hamstrings and glutes tend to get all the glory on leg day, but don't sleep on a very important group of muscles: the calves. The largest and most visible part of the calf is ...

While bulging biceps and a Rock-like chest may turn heads in the gym, it's those thick slabs of calf muscle that will get the nodding head seal of approval from your fellow lifting counterparts. You ...

The calf muscles play a vital role in blood circulation. They are often called the body's second heart. Strong calf muscles improve venous return and prevent blood pooling. Sedentary lifestyles weaken ...

A pulled or strained calf muscle refers to a strain in the two muscles at the back of your leg, the gastrocnemius and soleus. It usually takes three days for it to start feeling better, but full ...

The soleus is a muscle in the calf that runs from directly behind the knee to just above the muscles around the ankle. An injury or strain to this muscle can cause pain and discomfort. Muscle injuries ...

If you run, you need to care about your calves – the muscles that generate much of the force that powers your stride. Strong calves not only help you to run faster and more efficiently, but also ...

Roshini Raj, MD, is Health's former magazine's medical editor and coauthor of What the Yuck?!. Board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Raj is a Clinical Associate Professor of ...

You don't have to be a professional football player to need strong calf muscles. When your lower-leg muscles are in shape, they help you move and feel better. The calf muscle actually refers to three ...

Leg muscle atrophy is often a consequence of reduced physical activity, aging, or underlying medical conditions. When muscles aren't regularly engaged, they weaken and decrease in size, affecting ...