1.1.6

Antagonistic Muscle Movement

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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

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

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

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

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.
Hip

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

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

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).
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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 Antagonistic Muscle Movement

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

  1. 1
    What muscles are used to move the elbow joint?Fill in the list
  2. 2
    During a jab in boxing, which muscle contracts and which relaxes?True / false
  3. 3
    What is the prime mover when kicking a football?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What happens in isotonic muscle contractions?True / false
  5. 5
    What type of contraction are bicep curls an example of?Multiple choice
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Joints 2

End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System