The soleus muscle is a relatively unfamiliar concept to most people, but bodybuilders know that the soleus muscle is an important muscle in the leg. Its quality affects the function of the calf, so the soleus muscle needs to be exercised consciously. So what do you think are the benefits of exercising the soleus muscle? Let’s go take a look below!
Promote blood circulation in the legs
The soleus muscle is called the "second heart" because the body requires its participation in pumping blood to the lower legs and feet. This means that when the soleus muscle is tight or weak, it inhibits blood flow to the feet and ankles. In severe cases, the foot cannot bend and can only stagger when walking. Therefore, exercising the soleus muscle can improve the blood flow in your legs and make your leg joints flexible.
Reduce leg impact
The probability of soleus injury is relatively small, but overuse is more common among runners. This is the most common cause of soleus injury among runners. When running, the calves absorb most of the impact from the ground, and the soleus can be said to be the last muscle to absorb the impact. So, when a runner overtrains, the soleus muscle is naturally involved. Exercising more soleus muscles can enhance his resistance and reduce leg injuries.
How to exercise the soleus muscle
The soleus muscle is so important, which requires runners to pay attention to its regular exercise. One of the more effective and simple exercises is wall squats. With your back completely against a wall, squat down until your knees are bent at 90°, your thighs are parallel to the ground, and your knees are directly above your feet. Later, you can put some weights on your thighs to increase the intensity. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to standing. The time of squatting against the wall can be gradually extended as the practice progresses. You can do multiple groups each time, each group 8-10 times.