Antagonistic Muscle Movement

Antagonistic Muscle Movements

For all movements, the prime mover (or agonist) is the main muscle that causes movement. The antagonist then relaxes to let another muscle work. Below are examples of how the major muscles and muscle groups of the body, work antagonistically on the major joints of the skeleton:

Elbow

The muscles used to move this joint are the bicep (front) and triceps (back).
During a jab in boxing:
- The triceps (prime mover) contract and shorten to straighten the arm.
- The biceps (antagonist) relax and extend to counteract this action.

Ankle

The muscles used to move this joint are the gastrocnemius (back) and tibialis anterior (front).
When using plantar flexion (toes point down) during a pose on the beam in gymnastics:
- The gastrocnemius (prime mover) contracts and shortens.
- The tibialis anterior (antagonist) relaxes and extends to counteract this action.

Knee

The muscles used to move this joint are the quadriceps (front) and hamstrings (back).
When kicking a football:
- The quadriceps (prime mover) contract and shorten to straighten the leg.
- The hamstrings (antagonist) relax and extend to counteract this action.

Shoulder

The muscles used to move this joint are the deltoid (front/top) and the latissimus dorsi (back/underneath).
When tossing the ball up during a serve in tennis:
- The deltoid (prime mover) contracts and shortens.
- The latissimus dorsi (antagonist) relaxes and extends to counteract this action.

Illustrative background for Hip ?? "content

Hip

The muscles used to move this joint are the hip flexor (front) and gluteus maximus (back).
During the drive phase (the start) of a 100m sprint:
- The gluteus maximus (prime mover) contracts and shortens to extend the hip.
- The hip flexor (antagonist) relaxes and extends to counteract this action.

Muscle Contractions

There different types of muscle contraction are:

Isotonic contractions

When a muscle contracts and changes length. There are 2 types of isotonic contraction:
- Eccentric → when a muscle extends.
  - E.g. during a bicep curl, the triceps eccentrically contract to allow the biceps to work.
- Concentric → when a muscle shortens.
  - E.g. during a bicep curl, the biceps concentrically contract to flex the arm.

Isometric contractions

When a muscle contracts, but stays the same length.
This is shown where balance is involved (e.g. when trying to remain stable in a handstand).
During isometric contractions, we are always stationary (still).

1Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure

1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton

1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton

1.1.4Joints

1.1.5Joints 2

1.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement

1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System

1.2The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air

1.2.2Blood Vessels

1.2.3Blood Vessels 2

1.2.4Structure of the Heart

1.2.5Cardiac Cycle

1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance

1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing

1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 2

1.2.9The Lungs

1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System

1.3Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

1.3.2Recovering After Exercise

1.3.3Treatments for Recovery

1.4Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise

2Movement Analysis

2.1Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems

2.1.2Mechanical Advantage

2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements

2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 2

2.2Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis

2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement

3Physical Training

3.1Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness

3.2The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness

3.2.2Sports & Fitness

3.2.3Fitness Testing

3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance

3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination

3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power

3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength

3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility

3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness

3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests

4The Principles of Training

4.1Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training

4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training

4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training

4.1.4Weight & Interval Training

4.2Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training

4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training

4.2.3Warming Up

4.2.4Cooling Down

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation

4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness

5Using Data

5.1Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data

5.1.2Qualitative Data

5.2Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis

6Sports Psychology

6.1Skills

6.1.1Skills

6.1.2Skills 2

6.1.3Goals & Targets

6.1.4Skills HyperLearning

6.2Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing

6.2.2Guidance

6.2.3Guidance 2

6.2.4Feedback

6.2.5Mental Preparation

6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal

6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance

6.3Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression

6.3.2Motivation

6.3.3Personality Types

6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology

6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation

7Socio-cultural Influences

8Health & Fitness

8.1Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness

8.1.2Types of Health

8.2Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle

8.2.2Obesity & Performance

8.2.3Somatotypes

8.3Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition

8.3.2Nutrition 2

8.3.3Hydration

8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness

8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

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