Major muscle groups and antagonistic pairs

Overview

The location and sporting use of the deltoid, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, pectorals, biceps, triceps, abdominals, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals and gastrocnemius, and agonists, antagonists and fixators.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Where is the deltoid, and what does it do in sport?

   Model answer

   The deltoid is the rounded muscle covering the top of the shoulder. The deltoid raises the arm at the shoulder, as when a goalkeeper reaches up to tip a ball over the bar.

2. 2

   Where is the trapezius, and how is it used in sport?

   Model answer

   The trapezius is a large, diamond-shaped muscle across the upper back and the back of the neck. The trapezius moves and steadies the shoulder blades, as when a weightlifter holds a bar overhead.

3. 3

   Where is the latissimus dorsi, and when is it used in swimming?

   Model answer

   The latissimus dorsi is the broad muscle down each side of the back. The latissimus dorsi pulls the arm down and back, driving the pull phase of front crawl.

4. 4

   Where are the pectorals, and which sporting action uses them?

   Model answer

   The pectorals are the muscles of the chest. The pectorals pull the arm forward across the body, as in a tennis forehand.

5. 5

   Where are the biceps, and what movement do they cause?

   Model answer

   The biceps are at the front of the upper arm. The biceps flex the elbow, as in the upward phase of a bicep curl.

6. 6

   Where are the triceps, and what movement do they cause?

   Model answer

   The triceps are at the back of the upper arm. The triceps extend the elbow, as in the upward phase of a press-up or a netball chest pass.

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