Download Muscles Working as Pairs

Support for P4
BTEC National - Sport
Unit 1: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology in
Sport
Activity 11 – Antagonistic pairs; muscles working
together
One of the muscles’ main functions is to produce movement – which they do through
a series of contractions and relaxation.
Some of the key information you need to introduce this function can be found
below….so read on!

Muscles are arranged in antagonistic pairs.
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As one muscle contracts (shortens) its partner relaxes (lengthens). They swap
actions to reverse the movement.

The biceps and triceps work together as an antagonistic pair to move the
elbow joint.

To flex the elbow, the biceps (agonist) contracts and the triceps (antagonist)
relaxes.

To extend the elbow, the actions are reversed so that the triceps contracts
(agonist) and the biceps relaxes (antagonist).

The muscle group that holds the joint still is called the fixator.
Support for P4
Is there another example in the body that work together to create movement?
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When the triceps relaxes what are the biceps doing?
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What does the term ‘antagonistic pair’ mean?
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Describe the muscles in action below and describe how those muscles are working
together to move:
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There we go….a short ‘n’ sweet introduction – but all good stuff!