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 ...

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 ...

THE KEY TO building a strong, symmetrical physique comes down to focusing on body parts most people neglect. One spot typically overlooked (and improperly trained) than others: the calf muscles. If ...

The calf muscles, comprising the gastrocnemius and soleus, are often referred to as the body’s “second heart” because of their critical role in promoting blood circulation. Every time we walk, stand, ...

We’ve all been there: You arrive at the top of a steep climb, and as good as getting to the summit feels, you’re plagued by the feeling that your calves are about to burst open. Your Achilles tendon ...

Even if you aren’t training for anything in particular, it never hurts to give your calves a little extra love. The calf muscles, located on the back of the lower leg, are actually made up of three ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I tore my calf muscle while running a few months ago and went to physical therapy for treatment. It seemed to heal well, but last weekend I tried running for the first time since the ...

Are the biggest and most bulging calf muscles necessarily the most powerful? The scientists behind new research into muscle architecture say it's not the size of a muscle that delivers the most force, ...

Tight calf muscles may be the surprising culprit behind several discomforts like ankle, achilles, and forefoot pain, but using one of the best calf stretchers each day can really help. Whether you’re ...