BTEC Sport Unit 1: The Muscular System Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on BTEC Sport Unit 1 Applied Anatomy and Physiology notes covering antagonistic muscle pairs, muscle roles, origins and insertions, and types of contractions.

Agonist (Prime Mover)

The muscle that shortens when contracting during a movement.

Antagonist

The muscle that relaxes in opposition of the movement.

Origin

The muscle end that stays stationary when a muscle contracts.

Insertion

The end of the muscle that moves when a muscle contracts.

Synergist

Muscles that enable the agonist to operate effectively by controlling and directing movement.

Fixator

Muscles that stop any unwanted movement throughout the body by stabilising a joint and stabilising the origin.

Soleus

A synergist muscle for the gastrocnemius when creating plantarflexion at the ankle.

Deltoids and Pectorals

Examples of fixator muscles during a bicep curl that stabilise the origin.

Isometric Contraction

A contraction where muscles contract but the length does not change and the joint angle remains the same, leading to rapid fatigue and a sharp increase in blood pressure.

Isotonic Concentric Contraction

The upwards phase (positive phase) of a movement where the muscle gets shorter and fatter during contraction.

Isotonic Eccentric Contraction

The downwards phase (negative phase) of a movement where the muscle gets longer and thinner during contraction, tearing more fibres to promote strength.

Positive Phase

Another name for an isotonic concentric contraction, such as the upwards phase of a bicep curl, press up, or squat.

Negative Phase

Another name for an isotonic eccentric contraction, such as the downwards phase of a bicep curl, press up, or squat.