The heart, brain, liver, lungs and many more organs are essential to the body’s survival and living a long, healthy life.
But experts believe an unlikely muscle you most likely only think about on leg day could be the key to understanding longevity: the calf muscle.
Located on the back of the lower leg and reaching from just below the knee to above the heel, the calf muscle supports mobility and stability, helping to point the toes and propel the body in walking and running.
Recent research has even shown that not using this muscle may increase the risk of heart issues like blood clots.
When the heart pumps, it sends oxygen-rich blood to every part of the body, including the legs. However, sending blood up the body back to the heart takes more effort than a single pump, therefore it needs a boost.
Moving the calves compresses deep veins, which sends blood back up against gravity toward the heart. This is crucial for preventing blood clots and keeping the heart from becoming strained.
