Myology Flashcards
Agonist
Also known a ‘Prime
Movers’, Therefore the main
muscle(s) producing movement
of a joint
Antagonist
Muscle or muscles
that oppose or reverse a movement
produced by an agonist
Synergist
Muscle(s) which work
in synergy with the ‘Prime Mover’ or
‘Agonist’ assisting movement by
creating some movement &
reducing undesirable or
unnecessary extra movements that
might result as the prime mover
contracts
Fixator
Fixes or stabilises the
origin of the agonist or fixes the
area around the muscle where the
movement is being generated from.
Active tension
When the patient actively moves a joint into tension
Passive tension
When the physio helps passively move a joint into tension
Passive insufficiency
A multi-joint muscle is lengthened to its fullest extent at both joints, but also preventing the full range of motion of each joint it crosses e.g making a fist then flexing the wrist (can’t go all the way unless fist is spread)
Active insufficiency
When the muscle cannot cause adequate tension at all joints e.g flex your wrist and then make a fist
Concentric contraction
The muscle shortens (A force against resistance) e.g bicep curl
Eccentric contraction
The muscle lengthens (Lengthening against a force) e.g downwards phase of a bicep curl
Isometric Contraction
Muscle is not lengthening or shortening but is under tension
Open chain exercises
The distal aspect is free during exercise e.g bench press, bicep curls, chest-fly, LAT pull down, leg extension
Closed chain exercises
The distal aspect is fixed during exercises e.g pull/chin ups, push ups, legs press, squats, lunges
Range of motion
The amount of movement
produced as the muscle contracts from its longest to its shortest
Inner range
When the muscle is flexed
