According to study author and professor of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston, Marc Hamilton, what you’re working out while doing these seated calf pushups is something called the soleus muscle. In fact, it’s a muscle you’d work out in one of the best exercises to strengthen weak calves – calf raises. The soleus muscle is located at the back of your leg, spanning a length of below your knee to your heel.
“When activated correctly, the soleus muscle can raise local oxidative metabolism to high levels for hours, not just minutes, and does so by using a different fuel mixture,” explained Hamilton (via the University of Houston). The particular “fuel mixture” is different from what muscular exercise typically uses. We’re talking glucose and fats instead of breaking down glycogen. “The soleus’ lower-than-normal reliance on glycogen helps it work for hours effortlessly without fatiguing during this type of muscle activity, because there is a definite limit to muscular endurance caused by glycogen depletion,” added the study author.
Researchers think that this discovery can pave the way to preventing certain age-related chronic diseases. By activating your soleus muscle whilst being seated, you could improve metabolic health and help regulate blood glucose levels. Maintaining good metabolic health means preventing health concerns like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, and liver disease. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind.