Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is an agonist?
What is an agonist?
What is the role of the antagonist?
What is the role of the antagonist?
The opposing muscle to the agonist.
Define synergist in muscle movements.
Define synergist in muscle movements.
Muscles that contract with the prime mover to help movement.
What does a fixator do?
What does a fixator do?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an isotonic contraction?
What is an isotonic contraction?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe concentric contraction.
Describe concentric contraction.
Signup and view all the answers
What happens during eccentric contraction?
What happens during eccentric contraction?
Signup and view all the answers
What is it called when muscle length remains the same during contraction?
What is it called when muscle length remains the same during contraction?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Muscle Functions and Types of Contractions
- Agonist: The primary muscle responsible for producing a specific movement; also referred to as the prime mover.
- Antagonist: The muscle that opposes the action of the agonist; it relaxes and lengthens during the agonist's contraction.
- Synergist: Secondary muscles that assist the agonist in performing a movement, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the action.
- Fixator: Muscles that stabilize joints, allowing the agonist to exert force without unwanted movements in surrounding structures.
Types of Muscle Contractions
- Isotonic Contraction: A contraction that enables a muscle to either shorten or lengthen while maintaining consistent tension throughout the movement.
- Concentric Contraction: A type of isotonic contraction where the muscle actively shortens while creating force, leading to movement of a body part.
- Eccentric Contraction: A contraction in which the muscle generates force while lengthening, often occurring in controlled movement as muscles resist external forces.
- Isometric Contraction: A contraction where muscle length remains unchanged while generating tension; useful for stabilizing posture without movement.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key muscle roles with these flashcards covering agonists, antagonists, synergists, and fixators. Perfect for students of human anatomy looking to reinforce their understanding of muscle functions and interactions.