Muscles and Movement Analysis

These flashcards cover important vocabulary related to muscles and movement analysis.

Agonist

A muscle that contracts to produce a given action.

Antagonist

A muscle that contracts to produce the opposite action than the agonist.

Prime mover

A muscle that can produce an action without assistance from another muscle.

Assistor

A muscle that helps the prime mover.

Synergist

Two or more muscles that work together to produce an action.

Stabilizer

A muscle that helps hold a joint's position.

Motor unit

The motor neuron includes the axon, dendrites, end-plates, and all the muscle fibers it touches.

Stretch reflex

A two-neuron reflex arc also called a myotatic reflex. One neuron is sensory and the other is motor.

Reciprocal inhibition

The antagonist is inhibited when the agonist contracts.

Golgi tendon organ

A protective joint receptor located between the muscle and tendon that inhibits muscle contraction if there is too much stretch.

Isometric contraction

The muscle is contracting but not moving, also called a static contraction.

Isotonic contraction

Muscle contractions that result in movement, where muscles lengthen or shorten.

Proprioception

The body's ability to receive information about its position in space.

Atrophy

Muscle wasting or loss of muscle strength.

Hypertrophy

Increase in muscle size or gain in muscle strength.