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What is the Soleus Muscle?

Alex Paul
Alex Paul

The soleus muscle is one of two muscles that are located at the back of the lower leg. Together with the gastrocnemius it makes up half of the muscle group known as the calf. The soleus is a powerful muscle but if it isn’t functioning correctly it can cause a number of conditions such as knee and ankle pain. The primary function of the soleus muscle is to increase the angle between the foot and the ankle, which is also known as plantar flexion.

The soleus muscle originates behind the tibia — the large bone at the front of the shin. It runs all the way down the lower leg and inserts at the Achilles tendon. For this reason it plays a big role in ensuring the proper function of both the knee and ankle. It also indirectly affects muscles and joints elsewhere in the body.

Regularly stretching the soleus muscle can help to keep the muscle loose and flexible.
Regularly stretching the soleus muscle can help to keep the muscle loose and flexible.

Due to the strength of the soleus muscle, it’s one of the most important when it comes to walking and other basic movements. For this reason athletes — runners especially — need to regularly stretch the soleus to avoid it becoming tight and affecting gait. The soleus even plays an important role in standing as it’s what stops the body from falling forward.

The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles make up the entire calf.
The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles make up the entire calf.

In some cases problems in the soleus muscle can cause pain in other parts of the body such as the knee or hip. Calf muscle tears are also a common problem due to the amount of stress placed on both the soleus and gastrocnemius. A tight calf muscle can affect the Achilles tendon and make injuries such as tendinitis more probable.

Regularly stretching the soleus muscle can help to keep the muscle loose and flexible. This in turn helps to ensure that the skeletal system is working as it should. A simple soleus stretch can be performed by placing one leg behind the other while facing a wall. Bending the back leg a small amount the front knee is also bent to provide a stretch. A stretch should never be pushed too far and should be held for around 30 seconds to achieve the maximum benefit.

At the macroscopic level, all skeletal muscles are composed of a variety of layers.
At the macroscopic level, all skeletal muscles are composed of a variety of layers.

The gastrocnemius is sometimes considered to be part of the same muscle as the soleus because they work in similar ways. Like the soleus muscle it inserts behind the knee and goes down the back of the leg to the ankle. Stretching the gastrocnemius requires a straight knee while a soleus stretch requires a bent knee, however.

Discussion Comments

LisaLou

My son is a big runner and has run in several marathons. He has spent many weekends going to different cities to run in their races.

He learned the hard way how important it is to stretch before doing any running at all. In one of his first races, he was not warmed up enough and ended up with a soleus muscle strain.

He finished the race, but was sore for quite awhile after that race. Now he always makes sure his soleus muscles and legs are fully warmed up by doing stretches even before he takes off for a run in the morning.

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    • Regularly stretching the soleus muscle can help to keep the muscle loose and flexible.
      By: and.one
      Regularly stretching the soleus muscle can help to keep the muscle loose and flexible.
    • The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles make up the entire calf.
      By: Myst
      The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles make up the entire calf.
    • At the macroscopic level, all skeletal muscles are composed of a variety of layers.
      By: Balint Radu
      At the macroscopic level, all skeletal muscles are composed of a variety of layers.
    • Runners need to make sure they stretch their soleus muscle to it doesn't tighten up and affect their gait.
      By: puhhha
      Runners need to make sure they stretch their soleus muscle to it doesn't tighten up and affect their gait.
    • Regularly stretching the soleus muscles helps to ensure that the skeletal system is working as it should.
      By: 7activestudio
      Regularly stretching the soleus muscles helps to ensure that the skeletal system is working as it should.
    • Calf muscle tears are common due to the amount of stress placed on both the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.
      By: apops
      Calf muscle tears are common due to the amount of stress placed on both the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.
    • Stretching the gastrocnemius requires a straight knee while a soleus stretch requires a bent knee.
      By: high_resolution
      Stretching the gastrocnemius requires a straight knee while a soleus stretch requires a bent knee.
    • Malfunctioning of the soleus muscle may cause knee pain.
      By: evgenyatamanenko
      Malfunctioning of the soleus muscle may cause knee pain.
    • Improper functioning of the soleus muscle may cause ankle pain.
      By: blas
      Improper functioning of the soleus muscle may cause ankle pain.