Functional Group of Skeletal
Muscles
Skeletal muscles function in groups whose combined action produces the
coordinated movement at a joint
Each movement is brought about by a coordinated activity of different group
of muscles
Agonist (Prime mover): This muscle group is primarily responsible for
producing a desired movement.
Prime movers bring the insertion near its origin.
Example: biceps brachii is the prime mover in flexion movement at the
elbow joint.
Antagonist: This muscle group produces movement opposite to a prime
mover.
Usually, agonist and antagonist act together so that when the prime mover
contracts, the antagonist undergoes relaxation. In this way an accurate
controlled movement is carried out.
Muscles
Skeletal muscles function in groups whose combined action produces the
coordinated movement at a joint
Each movement is brought about by a coordinated activity of different group
of muscles
Agonist (Prime mover): This muscle group is primarily responsible for
producing a desired movement.
Prime movers bring the insertion near its origin.
Example: biceps brachii is the prime mover in flexion movement at the
elbow joint.
Antagonist: This muscle group produces movement opposite to a prime
mover.
Usually, agonist and antagonist act together so that when the prime mover
contracts, the antagonist undergoes relaxation. In this way an accurate
controlled movement is carried out.
