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The Musculo-Skeletal System

Muscle roles and the acute response to a warm-up

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Agonist, prime mover, antagonist, fixator and synergist, antagonistic pairs, fixators in a biceps curl and a kick, and how a warm-up changes muscle temperature, viscosity, elasticity, synovial fluid and articular cartilage.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define the term agonist.

Key term

What is meant by the prime mover?

Key term

What does the antagonist do during a movement?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define the term agonist.

    Model answer

    An agonist is a muscle that contracts to produce a movement. The biceps brachii is the agonist in elbow flexion.

  2. 2

    What is meant by the prime mover?

    Model answer

    The prime mover is the agonist mainly responsible for a movement that several muscles contribute to. The pectoralis major is the prime mover in horizontal flexion of the shoulder.

  3. 3

    What does the antagonist do during a movement?

    Model answer

    The antagonist relaxes and lengthens so the agonist can move the joint. The antagonist may also work eccentrically to control the movement.

  4. 4

    Define the term fixator.

    Model answer

    A fixator stabilises the bone that the agonist pulls from. A steady origin lets the agonist work efficiently.

  5. 5

    What is a synergist?

    Model answer

    A synergist assists the agonist or cancels out unwanted movement at the joint. A synergist makes the action smoother and more efficient.

  6. 6

    What is an antagonistic muscle pair? Give two examples.

    Model answer

    An antagonistic pair is two muscles producing opposite movements at the same joint. The biceps and triceps brachii at the elbow and the quadriceps and hamstrings at the knee are pairs.

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