Have you ever heard of the soleus muscle? It is a little-known muscle, but it is extremely important for the functioning of our body. According to Physical Education professional, Stanley Michetti, it is the muscle responsible for keeping us standing and enabling us to walk. It is a leg muscle that is located in the lower part of the calf and, together with the gastrocnemius muscles, forms the triceps surae.
The large amount of muscle fiber present in the soleus means that it has a high number of mitochondria, which are responsible for generating energy. This makes this muscle, which accounts for 1% of body weight, responsible for producing more energy than other organs in the human body.
In addition to being responsible for enabling us to walk, for balance and for energy production, the soleus muscle also helps the heart pump blood throughout the body, which is why it is called the “second heart” of the human body.
“It has two important veins inside that help the return of venous blood to the heart. When contracting, the muscles exert a force on these veins, driving the blood upwards”, explains the physical educator.
“For the soleus muscle to function well, the ideal is for it to be stimulated. So you need to exercise regularly, especially exercises that involve plantar flexion help to strengthen the soleus, such as walking. Stretching the muscles is also important”, warns Michetti.
