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htm Muscle Function The main framework of the body (skeleton) is covered by muscles, whose function is to permit movement and maintain posture. Sensory receptors in the muscles monitor the tension and length of the muscles and provide the nervous system with crucial information about the position of the body parts, thereby enabling posture to be maintained. Muscle tissue has four main properties: Excitability (ability to respond to stimuli), Contractibility (is ability to contract), Extensibility (the ability of a muscle to be stretched without tearing) and Elasticity (the ability to return to its normal shape). Movement Definitions Each of the movements of the muscles for the various parts of the body is described by various terms. Abductor - moves a limb away from the midline Adductor - moves a limb towards the midline Extensor - increase the angle at a joint - extends a limb Flexor - decreases the angle at a joint - flexes a limb Pronator - turns a limb to face downwards Supinator - turns a limb to face upwards Rotator - rotates a limb Sphincter - closes an orifice of opening Muscle actions Muscles which move the shoulder and their action Levator scapulae - Raises shoulder blade Pectoralis minor - Lowers shoulder blade Trapezius - Lifts clavicle. Adducts, elevates and rotates scapular outwards. Extends head Rhomboideus major - Adducts scapular and rotates it inwards Serratus anterior - Stabilises scapula when hand exerts pressure on an object Muscles which move the arm and their action Pectoralis major - Flexes, adducts and rotates arm medially Latissimus dorsi - Extends, adducts and rotates arm medially. Moves arm downward and backwards Deltoid - Abducts, flexes, extends and medially and laterally rotates arm Teres major - Extends arm, assists in adduction and medial rotation of arm Muscles which move the forearm and wrist and their action Biceps brachii - Flexes and supinates forearm. Flexes arm Brachialis - Flexes the forearm Brachoradialis - Flexes, semi-supinates and semi-pronates the forearm Triceps brachii - Extends forearm. Extends arm Pronator teres - Pronates and flexes forearm Pronator quadratus - Pronates the forearm and hand Supinator - Supinates forearm and hand

Muscles which move the abdominal wall and their action Rectus abdominis - Compresses abdomen and flexes vertebral column External obliques - Bends vertebral column laterally and rotates vertebral column Transversus abdominis - Compresses abdomen Quadratus lumborum - Side flexion Muscles which move the vertebral column and their action Iliocostalis lumborum - Extends lumbar region Iliocostalis thoracis - Maintains the spine's erect position Iliocostalis cervicis - Extends cervical region Longissimus thoracis - Extends thoracis region Longissimus cervicis - Extends cervical region Longissimus capitis - Extends the head and rotates it to opposite side Spinalis thoracis - Extends vertebral column Spinalis cervicis - Extends vertebral column Spinalis capitis - Extends vertebral column Muscles which move the thigh and their action Psoas major - Flexes and rotates thigh medially and flexes vertebral column Iliacus - Flexes and rotates thigh medially and flexes vertebral column Gluteus maximus - Extends and rotates thigh laterally. Adductor longus - Adducts, medially rotates and flexes the thigh Adductor brevis - Adducts, laterally rotates and flexes the thigh Adductor magnus - Adducts, flexes, laterally rotates and extends the thigh. Muscles which act on the leg and their action Rectus femoris - Extends knee and flexes hip Vastus lateralis - Extends knee Vastus medialis - Extends knee Vastus intermedius - Extends knee Sartorius - Flexes knee. Flexes hip and rotates femur laterally Biceps femoris - Flexes leg and extends thigh Semitendinosus - Flexes leg and extends thigh Semimembranosus - Flexes leg and extends thigh Muscles which move the foot and their action Tibialis anterior - Dorsiflexes and inverts foot Peroneus tertius - Dorsiflexes and everts foot Gastrocnemius - Plantar flexes foot and flexes knee Soleus - Plantar flexes foot Plantaris - Plantar flexes foot Tibialis posterior - Plantar flexes and inverts the foot Peroneus longus - Plantar flexes and everts the foot Peroneus brevis - Plantar flexes and everts the foot Additional Information Additional Links The following links are provided by Fastbox Qlinks. Muscular system Bone function Muscle contraction Muscle groups How do muscles work 3 types of muscles Trapezius muscle function Function of smooth muscle Fitness Trainers - Health Clubs - Sports Equipment - Sports Tickets

Human Anatomy & Physiology This heavily illustrated self-teaching course gives you everything you need to know. Find out how human muscles, nerves, bones,organs, glands, connective tissue and more, function and communicate with each other. Discover the molecular-level workings of your glandular, genitourinary, digestive, cardiovascular, and other systems. But that is just part of the story. Select this link for more information on "Human Anatomy & Physiology". Click here for details of other available Books Associated Pages The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page: Articles on Physiology Movement Analysis Muscular System Muscles in the human body Muscle Fatigue Muscle Fibre Hypertrophy Muscle Fibre Test - Dr Fred Hatfield Muscle Imbalance Muscle Knot - trigger point Muscle Movement Muscle Range of Movement Muscle Stiffness Muscle Soreness (DOMS) Muscle Strength and Balance Checks Muscle Training Muscle Types - Cardiac, Skeletal & Smooth Associated Books The following books provide more information related to this topic: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, G. J. Tortora et al. Strength Training Anatomy, F. Delavier Atlas of Skeletal Muscles, R. J. Stone et al. The Muscle Book, P. Blakey Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P. Beashel et al. Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al. Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W. D. McArdle et al. Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al. The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al. Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al. Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley Sport and PE, K. Wesson et al. PE for you, J. Honeybourne Need more help? If you are unable to find the information you are looking for then please email me your query. Your feedback on the Sports Coach Web Site I would value your feedback on the Sports Coach Web Site as it will

help me improve its content. Please select this link to provide your feedback. Free Sports Training and Fitness Reports from "Peak Performance"