Functional and Applied Anatomy of Muscle Groups Lecture

Question 1

Understand the function of the main muscle groups of the body.

Answer 1

1. Upper Body
   a. Chest (Pectorals)
   Function: Responsible for pushing movements.
   Key Muscles: Pectoralis major, pectoralis minor.
   Movements: Push-ups, bench presses, and any movement involving bringing your arms together in front of you.
   b. Back (Latissimus Dorsi, Rhomboids, Trapezius)
   Function: Responsible for pulling movements and posture.
   Key Muscles: Latissimus dorsi (lats), rhomboids, trapezius.
   Movements: Pull-ups, rows, deadlifts, and any movement involving pulling the arms down or back.
   c. Shoulders (Deltoids)
   Function: Enables arm rotation and lifting.
   Key Muscles: Anterior, lateral, and posterior deltoids.
   Movements: Overhead presses, lateral raises, front raises, and any movement involving lifting the arms overhead or to the sides.
   d. Arms
   Biceps:
   Function: Flexion of the elbow, pulling.
   Movements: Bicep curls, chin-ups.
   Triceps:
   Function: Extension of the elbow, pushing.
   Movements: Tricep dips, tricep extensions, push-ups.
2. Core
   a. Abdominals (Rectus Abdominis, Obliques, Transverse Abdominis)
   Function: Stability and movement of the trunk, especially flexion, rotation, and lateral bending.
   Key Muscles: Rectus abdominis (front abs), obliques (side abs), transverse abdominis (deep core muscle).
   Movements: Crunches, leg raises, twists, and maintaining posture.
   b. Lower Back (Erector Spinae)
   Function: Extends the spine, helps maintain upright posture.
   Key Muscles: Erector spinae group.
   Movements: Back extensions, deadlifts.
3. Lower Body
   a. Glutes (Gluteus Maximus, Medius, Minimus)
   Function: Hip extension, stabilization, and movement of the pelvis.
   Key Muscles: Gluteus maximus (largest), gluteus medius, gluteus minimus.
   Movements: Squats, lunges, hip thrusts, running.
   b. Quadriceps (Front of the Thigh)
   Function: Extends the knee, plays a key role in walking, running, and squatting.
   Key Muscles: Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius.
   Movements: Squats, leg presses, lunges, running.
   c. Hamstrings (Back of the Thigh)
   Function: Knee flexion and hip extension (especially during walking, running, or jumping).
   Key Muscles: Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus.
   Movements: Leg curls, deadlifts, running, jumping.
   d. Calves (Gastrocnemius, Soleus)
   Function: Plantar flexion (pointing the foot downwards), helps in walking, running, and jumping.
   Key Muscles: Gastrocnemius, soleus.
   Movements: Calf raises, walking, running.
   e. Hip Flexors (Iliopsoas, Rectus Femoris)
   Function: Flexes the hip and raises the knee.
   Key Muscles: Iliopsoas, rectus femoris.
   Movements: High-knee movements, running, squats.

Question 2

What can a structural deficit do to the body?

Answer 2

Might cause functional loss of muscle group and
pathology.

Question 3

What are the three movement types?

Answer 3

• Concentric: Muscle shortens during contraction (e.g., lifting a weight).
• Eccentric: Muscle lengthens during contraction (e.g., lowering a weight).
• Isometric: Muscle contracts but doesn’t change length (e.g., holding a plank).

Question 4

What are Antagonistic and synergistic pairs?

Answer 4

Antagonistic Pairs: Muscles that work in opposition, such as the biceps (flexor) and triceps (extensor).
Synergistic Muscles: Muscles that work together to perform a movement, such as the quads and glutes in squats.