Soleus Muscle

Research indicates the soleus can help regulate insulin and blood sugar, making it uniquely valuable for metabolic health during extended sitting. Most muscles can continue functioning under zinc deficiency, but the soleus cannot. The resistance should be strong enough to load the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is loaded while the ankle remains still. The soleus has the highest zinc concentration of any muscle and is the primary engine of endurance activity. The soleus muscle has the unusual property of not fatiguing under sustained use, unlike most skeletal muscles. Seated soleus activation can be performed continuously at a desk by raising and lowering the knee alternately or simultaneously. Zinc deficiency can cause soleus atrophy and dysfunction in the contraction-relaxation cycle. Athletes consuming primarily chicken, rice, grains, and vegetables may be systematically under-consuming zinc. Soleus dysfunction from zinc deficiency increases vulnerability to knee, calf, and Achilles tendon injuries. The activity is intended to load the Achilles tendon in a way that reduces pain.