If you have diabetes or prediabetes, you already know that managing blood sugar, protecting your feet, and maintaining good circulation are important parts of your daily routine.
What you may not know is that a small muscle in your calf — the soleus muscle — plays a role in all three. Researchers call it the "second heart" because it helps pump blood upward from your lower legs. But when you sit for hours, this muscle becomes largely inactive.
This page collects educational resources about blood sugar, circulation, foot health, and the soleus muscle. This is not medical advice. Always follow your doctor's guidance for managing diabetes.
Educational purpose only. This information is not medical advice. If you have diabetes or concerns about your blood sugar, foot health, or circulation, consult your doctor. Do not change your medication or treatment based on this information.
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India has an estimated 136 million people with prediabetes. If you have been told you have prediabetes, you are not alone. Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
The good news is that prediabetes is reversible for many people. Lifestyle changes — including diet, exercise, and reducing prolonged sitting — are often the first line of defense.
The Elek 2025 study found that soleus activation during seated time was associated with a 32% reduction in prediabetic indicators. This research is promising, but more studies are needed.
If you have prediabetes: Talk to your doctor about whether seated movement could be part of your prevention plan. Do not change your routine without medical guidance.
Read more about blood sugar and sitting → | View the Hamilton study → | What is Soleus Health? →
Explore these guides to learn more about how prolonged sitting may affect blood sugar, leg circulation, and foot health.
Does sitting affect blood sugar? A 2022 University of Houston study found that in a laboratory setting using a specialised protocol, activating the soleus muscle during sitting was associated with a 52% reduction in post-meal glucose spikes.
Read the full guide →52% reduction in post-meal glucose excursion during seated soleus activation in a laboratory setting. Full research summary with limitations.
Read the summary →Everything you need to know about the soleus muscle, including anatomy, function, and how it affects circulation and metabolism.
Read the guide →A seated heel-raise movement that activates the soleus muscle. Learn how to do it and why researchers studied it.
Read more →Why do my legs feel heavy after sitting? The soleus muscle plays a role in leg circulation.
Read more →Why do my ankles swell after sitting? Learn how the calf muscle pump affects fluid movement.
Read more →A new wellness category focused on understanding and activating the soleus muscle during seated hours.
Learn more →The Hamilton 2022 study from the University of Houston found that sustained soleus activation during seated time produced a 52% reduction in post-meal glucose excursion in a laboratory setting using a specialised protocol. The Elek 2025 study observed a 32% reduction in prediabetic indicators with soleus activation.
The Houghton 2021 study found that people with reduced calf muscle pump function were twice as likely to experience serious health events over time.
These studies are independent. 2HEART did not conduct them. We cite them because they explore the same problem we are working on: what happens to the body during prolonged sitting.
If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or any health condition: