Big calves and facts not everyone knows

Big calves are one of the not uncommon conditions of calf enlargement. Just like there are people with thin organs, there are people with thin organs. Everyone's calves will be different sizes. So when the calves are big, how should we look more aesthetic? The following article will guide you to read the most effective ways.

content

• Calf concept
• Medical conditions of calf muscles
• Methods of testing leg muscles
• What are big calves?
• Normal indicators of calf size
• Differentiate large muscular calves and calf hypertrophy
• The causes of physiologically large calves
• The advantages and disadvantages of big calves
• Big calf muscle what to do?

Calf concept

Before learning the content of big calves , we should know what calves are. The calves are the area of ​​muscle mass on the back of the lower leg. It is made up of the following muscles:

• Leg twin muscle. This is the larger calf muscle, which forms a visible bulge beneath the skin. These muscles have two parts or two heads, which together form the rhombus of the calf.
• The soleus muscle is the smaller flat muscle. It is located below the calf muscle.

Both the calves and the soles will contract and merge at the base of the calf. The supple connective tissue at the bottom of the calf muscles merges with the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon will insert into the heel bone. While walking, running, or jumping, the calf muscles pull the heel up to allow for forward motion.

The image simulates the muscles in the calves

Medical conditions of calf muscles

Calves can cause the following disorders:

• Calf strain: Stretching the calf muscle beyond its normal length leads to the tearing of some of the calf muscle fibers. Calf strain can range from mild (mild pain) to severe (complete tear of the calf muscle).
• Contracted Calf Muscles: Tension in the calf muscles is often referred to as a pulled calf muscle. Contraction is the stretching of the calf muscle beyond its limits.
• Calf muscle tear: All calf strains tear some muscle fibers. More serious injuries can lead to partial or complete tearing of the calf muscle.
• Calf muscle tear: A complete tear of the calf muscle, resulting in severe pain and inability to walk. The calf muscle may collapse into a lump or ball, which can be seen and felt through the skin.

Calf tear is one of the most common calf problems

Methods of testing leg muscles

Some methods of examining and examining the calf muscles include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) of the calf area.
• Computed tomography (CT scan): Scans the calf area and other nearby structures,
• Calf muscle ultrasound: Allows to examine calf muscles, tendons and adjacent joints.

What are big calves?

Many scientists believe that calf muscle size is largely determined by genetics. However, that hasn't stopped men from doubling down on their daily workouts. Or frantically search the internet for “how to get bigger calves”.

>> See more: What you need to know about myalgia syndrome

While most women are afraid of having big calves due to muscles . Because the muscles in the calves, when large, will make your body look rough. It is a major defect, losing the aesthetic beauty of women.

Big calves because of muscle are common condition

Calf muscle is a condition in which the calf area is large, has more muscle and density than the average person. That is, from birth, a person has possessed large legs. Therefore, making it smaller is not easy because genetic factors have decided,

Atopic calf muscle is a condition passed down from generation to generation. This situation is most evident when in your family there are many relatives who own calves with a lot of muscle. At the same time, the muscle density is firm and stiff.

Normal indicators of calf size

To know if a calf is big or not, we have to compare it with the normal index, which is ranked according to international standards. Vietnamese standard thigh circumference ranges from 40 to 50cm. That is about 1/3 of the length minus 5-10cm. Accordingly, the calf circumference will be about 20 cm smaller than the thigh size.

Normal calves vs big calves because of muscle

Thus, the standard calf measurement of women will range from 25 to 30cm. If it exceeds this number, it is called muscular calves . Having an oversized, rough leg will lose the balance of the legs. At the same time, it also makes women not confident when wearing fashionable clothes that they weakly like.

Differentiate large muscular calves and calf hypertrophy

We need to distinguish muscular calves from calf hypertrophy. In most cases of physiological calf enlargement, we will not have pain. At the same time, the muscle density in the calves will be firm, with the same color as the skin. If the calf muscle is large due to disease, it has the following characteristics:

• Pain in the calf.
• Intermittent pain.
• Foot numbness.
• Abnormal calf temperature. For example, hotter or colder.
• The skin on the calf is discolored compared to the normal skin. It may be bluish-purple, pale or flushed.
• The muscle density is not firm but mushy.

Some conditions that cause pathological calf enlargement include:

• Leg edema due to kidney failure, liver failure, heart failure .
• Malnutrition causes protein deficiency.
• Nephrotic syndrome.
• Thrombophlebitis of the legs.
• Compartment syndrome in soft tissue trauma.
• Inflammation of the calf muscle.
• Elephant paw edema in filariasis.
• Obesity …

Image of leg swelling in heart failure

The causes of physiologically large calves

Here are some reasons that cause leg muscles to become physiologically enlarged:

• The cause is genetic. At this time, the calves will be large from birth.
• Unhealthy lifestyle. At this time, muscle and fat will be concentrated in the buttocks, thighs, and calves.
• Practice wrong method. The wrong practice will make the calves abnormally large, gross, and unsightly.
• Use cosmetics containing estrogen. Such as food, functional food, lubricating oil, wax oil, etc.

>> See more: Leg pain syndrome: Causes, diagnosis and treatment

The advantages and disadvantages of big calves

Advantages

One study of 6,265 people found that people with larger calves had a lower risk of stroke. Regardless of age, sex, body mass index, and other vascular risk factors. The larger a person's calves are, the less fat known as plaque in the arteries.

This reduces the risk of narrowing, carotid artery disease, and stroke . The researchers suspect that this may be because large calves give the body another place to store fat. Also less likely to cause circulation problems.

Many studies show that the smaller a person's calves, the higher their resting heart rate. A sustained resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute increases the risk of death regardless of physical fitness. Long-distance runners and other athletes often have lower resting heart rates. That's why they have bigger calves.

>> See more: Achilles tendonitis

However, if the resting heart rate is too low, it can make the person prone to fainting. At that time, even the strongest legs can't help you stand. You will be very easy to fall, stagger due to insufficient blood circulation to the brain.

Defect

Big calves can increase the risk of fatty liver due to the accumulation of fat in the liver. In addition, the calf muscle mass is too large, causing disproportionate to the legs. Thereby making your legs become rougher, look very unsightly. Especially for women.

Besides, a calf that is too big can cause a large one. It puts a lot of pressure on the bones in the legs. From there, a number of health consequences can occur. The most common diseases are arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, etc.

Massive calves increase the risk of lower extremity venous insufficiency

Many people often wonder: does climbing stairs make calves bigger? Does cycling make your calves bigger? Or does jumping rope make calves bigger? Does walking make calves bigger? Here is the explanation:

A large calf means a lot of weight. It will be an obstacle for a person when they move, run, jump. People with large calves will hardly have the opportunity to participate in sports that require the flexibility of their legs. Such as football, volleyball, high jump, long jump, etc.

Big calf muscle what to do?

Conservative methods and internal medicine

With this method, it is very difficult for you to make your calves smaller. The main goal is to choose the right clothes that make your look more visible. Consists of:

• Wear leg socks.
• Wear long, dark pants. At that time, your calves will look smaller and more compact.
• Avoid wearing high heels, shorts, and short skirts.
• Diet rich in vitamins and fiber. Limit foods that are too rich in protein and fat.
• Increase calcium-rich foods to prevent osteoporosis.
• Exercise to strengthen the calf muscles. Helps legs firmer, more flexible. For example, jumping rope, running, fitness, etc.
• Some yoga exercises can help your legs slimmer.
• Regularly massage your feet, soak your feet in warm salt water.
• Do not abuse muscle building supplements for bodybuilders.

Yoga method to help slimmer calves

Surgical method

If the calves are enlarged because the muscles are oversized and interfere with daily activities, a surgical approach will be recommended. Specialist doctors will perform surgery to remove unnecessary muscle mass.

Your doctor may also recommend calf surgery

However, when you want to apply this method, you should go to the facilities that specialize in Musculoskeletal - Bone - Joint Surgery. Here, doctors with many years of experience will give you the most suitable advice. Don't be greedy for cheap, going to less-than-reputable establishments will lead to money loss and disability. Maybe even disabled.

With the information that the article has provided, hopefully readers will better understand the condition of big calves . In general, this condition is mostly benign. It's just unsightly. Conservation methods are given top priority. Surgery is only recommended in cases where the calf is too large and affects daily activities.