0 the outer calf muscle that goes from the back of the knee to the heel: --
Leg cramps cause shortening of the gastrocnemius muscle in the calf.
Deep to the gastrocnemius (farther from the skin) is the soleus muscle.
When walking in negative heeled shoes, muscle activity of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles are similar to that observed in uphill walking.
Preventive exercises are aimed at strengthening the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, typically by eccentric strengthening exercises.
The medial gastrocnemius tendon arises proximal and posterior to the gastrocnemius tubercle of the medial femoral condyle.
For instance, the human gastrocnemius technically spans both the knee and ankle joints.
The plantaris closely follows the lateral head of the gastrocnemius.
It is fully activated only with the knee extended because the gastrocnemius is shortened during knee flexion.
The gastrocnemius and soleus modulate the tibialis anterior to dorsiflex the foot, and finally the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles are active.
