Which action is performed by the Gastrocnemius and Soleus?

• A. Ankle plantarflexion
• B. Knee extension
• C. Ankle dorsiflexion
• D. Hip extension

Answer: (A)

Plantarflexion at the ankle is the action these two muscles reliably perform. The gastrocnemius and soleus form the calf and attach to the heel via the Achilles tendon. When they contract, they pull the heel upward and point the toes downward, allowing the foot to push off the ground during walking or to stand on tiptoe. The gastrocnemius crosses both the knee and ankle, while the soleus crosses only the ankle; together they are the primary ankle plantarflexors. Other options aren’t their main role: knee extension is done mainly by the quadriceps, ankle dorsiflexion by muscles like the tibialis anterior, and hip extension by hip extensors such as the gluteus maximus and hamstrings.