[tomjakubowski]

Yep, and they vary somewhat from person to person. I think it's part of why some people are apparently stronger than they look: longer tendons give more leverage with less muscle mass.

[kenjackson]

Is there any advantage to having muscle attachments closer to the joint?

[Tuna-Fish]

Range of motion. You can pick up a stick, hold it above your head, and throw it with significant power and control. A chimp can't do that.

[kenjackson]

I was thinking more within human variances. For example, I've seen athletes with high calf muscles who can jump really high. If there an advantage to those whose calf muscle stretch to the bottom of the leg? Do they have some increased range of motion that this helps with?