1.1.3

Functions of the Skeleton

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Skeletal System Functions

The skeletal system has 6 functions:

Support

Support

  • The bones in the skeletal system keep us upright and hold the muscles and organs in place.
    • E.g. the femur (thigh bone) in the leg supports an athlete’s body weight when running.
Shape

Shape

  • The skeleton gives us our shape, height and build (e.g. taller people have longer bones).
  • The skeleton also provides ‘anchor’ points for muscles to attach to.
  • The human skeleton has a thumb, which allows us to grip a tennis racquet or javelin.
Protection

Protection

  • Parts of the skeleton provide protection for the vital organs.
  • The cranium (skull), sternum (breastbone) and pelvis are all flat bones. They provide the best protection because of their large surface area.
  • This is useful in contact sports, such as football and rugby, because they can prevent injuries to the brain and the heart.
Movement

Movement

  • The skeleton’s joints allow the body to move.
  • Muscles attach to the bones at places where they can pull a bone in a given direction.
  • This is useful in all sporting actions.
    • E.g. when a boxer jabs (punches) someone, the triceps (muscle at the back of the upper arm) contracts to pull the radius and ulna (bones in the forearm) away from the humerus (bone in the upper arm).
Mineral storage

Mineral storage

  • The bones can store minerals such as calcium.
  • Calcium can then be released into the blood when needed.
Production of blood cells

Production of blood cells

  • Bone marrow (a fatty substance) that is found in the long bones (e.g. femur) produces red and white blood cells.
    • Red blood cells carry oxygen and white blood cells fight against infection.
  • Anyone doing any aerobic event will need red blood cells to transport oxygen to the working muscles. If a runner fell over and cut their leg, the white blood cells would fight any invading bacteria to help the athlete stay healthy (free from infection).

Muscles of the Body

Because muscles can only pull, they need to be arranged in pairs to function.

Upper body muscle pairs - examples

Upper body muscle pairs - examples

  • Biceps (front) + triceps (back)- located on either side of the Humerus (bone in the upper arm).
  • Abdominals (front) + latissimus dorsi (back) - located on either side of the body.
  • Pectorals (front) + latissimus dorsi and trapezius (back) - located on either side of the rib cage.
  • Deltoid (front/top) + latissimus dorsi (back/underneath) - located on either side of the ball and socket joint in the shoulder.
Lower body muscle pairs - examples

Lower body muscle pairs - examples

  • Quadriceps (front) + hamstrings (back) - located either side of the femur (thigh bone).
  • Hip flexors (front) + gluteals (back) - muscles that are located on either side of the pelvis.
  • Tibialis anterior (front) + gastrocnemius (back) - located on either side of the tibia (shin bone).
Jump to other topics
1

Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1

The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton1.1.4Joints1.1.5Joints 21.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System1.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Contractions
1.2

The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air1.2.2Blood Vessels1.2.3Blood Vessels 21.2.4Structure of the Heart1.2.5Cardiac Cycle1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 21.2.9The Lungs1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System1.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Pathway of Blood1.2.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cardiac Output
1.3

Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration1.3.2Recovering After Exercise1.3.3Treatments for Recovery1.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aerobic vs Anaerobic
1.4

Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise
2

Movement Analysis

2.1

Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems2.1.2Mechanical Advantage2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 22.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Lever Systems
2.2

Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement2.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Planes vs Axes
3

Physical Training

3.1

Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness
3.2

The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness3.2.2Sports & Fitness3.2.3Fitness Testing3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests
4

The Principles of Training

4.1

Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training4.1.4Weight & Interval Training4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Types of Training
4.2

Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training4.2.3Warming Up4.2.4Cooling Down4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness
5

Using Data

5.1

Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data5.1.2Qualitative Data
5.2

Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis
6

Sports Psychology

6.1

Skills

6.1.1Skills6.1.2Skills 26.1.3Goals & Targets6.1.4Skills HyperLearning
6.2

Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing6.2.2Guidance6.2.3Guidance 26.2.4Feedback6.2.5Mental Preparation6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance
6.3

Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression6.3.2Motivation6.3.3Personality Types6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation6.3.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Aggression
7

Socio-cultural Influences

7.1

Engagement Patterns of Different Social Groups

7.1.1Engagement - Gender7.1.2Engagement - Ethnicity7.1.3Engagement - Age & Family7.1.4Engagement - Disability
7.2

Commercialisation

7.2.1Media7.2.2Commercialisation7.2.3Commercialisation 27.2.4Sponsorship7.2.5Arguments for Sponsorship7.2.6Impact of Sponsorship7.2.7End of Topic Test - Engagement & Commercialisation7.2.8Exam-Style Questions - Commercialisation & Conduct
7.3

Ethical & Socio-cultural Issues

7.3.1Impact of Technology on Performers7.3.2Impact of Technology on Performers 27.3.3Impact of Technology on Sport7.3.4Impact of Technology on Sport 27.3.5Sporting Conduct & Banned Substances7.3.6Blood Doping7.3.7Drug Restrictions7.3.8Drug Restrictions 27.3.9Spectator Behaviour7.3.10End of Topic Test - Ethical Issues7.3.11Exam-Style Questions - Performance Enhancing Drugs7.3.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Conduct in Sport
8

Health & Fitness

8.1

Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness8.1.2Types of Health
8.2

Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle8.2.2Obesity & Performance8.2.3Somatotypes8.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Somatypes
8.3

Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition8.3.2Nutrition 28.3.3Hydration8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

Practice questions on Functions of the Skeleton

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Can you think of a useful mnemonic for remembering the functions of the skeletal system? Click to discover 1 that we like!Flashcard
  2. 2
    The hip flexors and gluteals are located on either side of which bone?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which muscles are located on the front of the body?True / false
  4. 4
    Which muscle is found in the upper body?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Select the correct name for a muscle found in the calf.Multiple choice
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Structure of the Skeleton

Joints