Antagonistic muscle

Antagonistic Muscle

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An Antagonistic Muscle refers to a muscle that acts in opposition to the specific movement generated by another muscle, known as an agonist. The antagonistic muscle helps to return a limb to its initial position after it has been moved by the agonist. This system of muscle pairing allows for precise movement control in the body.

Function

Antagonistic muscles often occur in pairs, called antagonistic pairs. As one muscle contracts, the other relaxes. An example of an antagonistic pair is the biceps and the triceps; to contract - the triceps relaxes while the biceps contracts to lift the arm.

Antagonistic Pairs

Antagonistic pairs can be found all over the body, from the biceps and triceps in the arm, to the quadriceps and hamstrings in the leg. These pairs allow for a wide range of motion and precise control over movement.

Role in Exercise

Understanding the role of antagonistic muscles is crucial in exercise and rehabilitation. When exercising, it's important to work out both the agonist and antagonist to prevent imbalances that could lead to poor posture or injury.

See Also

• Agonist muscle
• Synergist muscle
• Muscle contraction
• Muscle pairs

References

Antagonistic muscle Resources
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