Calf Muscle Detail And Exercise :

 Calf Muscle  : ( 2nd Heart - Pumping action) Muscle Of Lower Limb.

Calf Muscle is Located On Back Side Of The Leg And Is Made Of 2 Large Muscle To Join Make Tendo Achiilis.

Muscle Detail Of  Back Side Of Leg

(1) Gastrocnemius Muscle :  is the larger Calf Muscle Forming The Bulge Of Muscle Mass And Visible Beneath the skin.

Gastrocnemius has 2 Heads Which Looks Like Diamond Shape.

Anatomy Of Calf Muscle

(2) The Soleus Muscle:  Small Muscle , Flatt And Underneath The Gastrocnemius Muscle.

A majority of soleus muscle fibers originate from each side of the anterior aponeurosis, attached to the tibia and fibula.

Insertion :

        Both Muscle Insertion Merge Via Tendo Achiilis And The Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone (calcaneus).

Nerve Supply : 

(Calf Area- Lumbar 4-5 and Sacral 1-5 is of the sacral plexus) 

The sciatic nerve branches off of the sacral plexus in which the tibial and common fibular(Peroneal) nerves are wrapped in one sheath. The tibial nerve eventually separates from the sciatic nerve and innervates the gastrocnemius muscle.

Action Of Calf Muscle :

Calf Muscle Stretching

 Calf Muscle is one of Strong Lower Limb Muscle Which Planter Flex From Ankle Joint. 

This Muscle is Anti Gravity Muscle And Normally All Anti Gravity Muscle Require High Power That's Why All Anti Gravity Muscle Are Bulky And Strong. 

Running, Jumping, Dancing , Cycling All This Activity Use Calf Muscle. 

Jumping is The Highest Uses Calf Muscle.

This Muscle is Also Called 2nd Hearst And Low Use Of This Muscle May Lead Vericose Vein And Oedema Around Ankle.

Sports Person Usually High Use Of This Muscle May Lead Cramps.

Classical Dancers And Gymanatics Also Use Calf Muscle More And Require Special Attention To Develop , strenthen Calf Muscle.

Exercise Of Calf Muscle:

Calf Muscle Strengthening Exercise With Use Of Body Weight

Active Movement in Supine Position is  Simple Planter Flex From Ankle.

Resisted Exercise : Self Resisted Exercise is to High Hill Action In Standing Position.

Calf Muscle Exercise With Full Body Weight Single Leg-Tuff One

Gradually Increase Repetition And Jumping, Running, Cycling Are Other Exercise That Are Useful To Strengthen And Most Common Form Of Exercise.

Calf Muscle Strenthening Exercise With Weight 

Stretching Exercise of Calf muscle : 

Use Of Belt Like And Wrap Around Ankle in Long Sitting With Stretch Towards Ankle is Home Made Calf Exercise.

Home Made Low Intensity Calf Stretching For Elderly

Standing Position :  Both Leg In Same Line Position With Around Minimum Foot Distance With Forward Leg Flexed From Knee And Back Leg Straight , You Will Feel Stretching in Back Calf Muscle And Then Change Leg Again Do Some Practice.

Calf Stretching In Standing Position

Medical Use Of Calf Muscle:

Use Of Calf Muscle in Medical Field is Too Important. Generally Blood Flow Upside Down is Easy But From Ankle To Up Towards Heart , It's Need Calf Muscle Active Exercise, In Paralysis And Other Bed Ridden Patient Ankle Swelling Are Most Common symptoms And That why Physiotherapist Start Active Exercise Of Calf Muscle With Elevation Of Ankle Joint.That's Why This Muscle Also Called 2nd Heart because of its Pumping action.

Related Article :

Hamstring Muscle

All About Quadriceps Muscle