UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
• Muscles that are needed to create movement for exercise and sport are
VOLUNTARY MUSCLES – GROSS and FINE MOTOR SKILLS.
• When muscles increase in size it is known as MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY
Information/Discussion
• When people lose muscle mass, it is known as ATROPHY.
Practical Application
Links
Diagram/Table
Activity
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Trapezius (traps)
Improving Movement
Major Muscles
Pectorals (Pecs)
Moves the shoulder
and draws the arm
across the chest
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
Diagram/Table
Activity
Deltoid
Raises the arm
forwards, backwards
and sideways at the
shoulder
Biceps
Bends
(flexes) the
arm at the
elbow joint
Rectus abdominis
(abs)
Bends (flexes) the
trunk or spine so
that you can bend
forward
Show/hide arrows
Quadriceps (quads)
Straightens (extends)
the leg at the knee
joint
Gastrocnemius (calf)
Straightens (extends)
the ankle joint
Show/hide names
Maintains shoulder
position, rotates the
shoulder and moves
the head
Triceps
Straightens
(extends) the arm at
the elbow joint
Latissimus dorsi
(lats)
Pulls the arm
down, draws the
arm behind the
back
Gluteus maximus
Pulls the leg back at the
hip when standing and
climbing
Hamstring
Bends (flexes) the
leg at the knee
Show/hide functions
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
Muscle Fibres
Voluntary muscle contains MUSCLE FIBRES, which, when stimulated by
the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) contract or extend.
Information/Discussion
There are 2 main types of MUSCLE FIBRE
1) SLOW TWITCH
2) FAST TWITCH
Bicep
muscle
Practical Application
Bundle of
fibres
Links
Fast twitch
(white)
Diagram/Table
Activity
A muscle
fibre
Slow twitch
(red)
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
Muscle Fibres
• All muscles have a mixture of fast and slow twitch fibres.
• The mix is inherited, but both types can be trained to function
better.
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
• The type of muscle fibre can often determine performance in
different physical activities.
• Muscle action in all physical activity/ sport requires a contribution
from each muscle fibre type.
Diagram/Table
Activity
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
Characteristics of Muscle Fibres
FAST TWITCH
SLOW TWITCH
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
COLOUR
WHITE
RED
SPEED OF
CONTRACTION
QUICK
SLOW
FORCE
GENERATED
LARGE
SMALL
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
QUICK
Diagram/Table
SLOW
FATIGUE
(Work without O2 –
anaerobically)
(Good O2 supply)
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
POWER, STRENGTH,
EXPLOSIVE EVENTS
CV ENDURANCE
ACTIVITIES
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
The Major Muscles Used In The Leg For
Extension And Flexion Of The Hips And Knee
Gluteus maximus
contracts to extend hip
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
‘Hamstrings’ contract to
extend hip and flex knee
‘Quadriceps’ relaxed
‘Hamstrings’ relaxed
Links
‘Quadriceps’ contract to
flex hip and extend knee
Diagram/Table
Activity
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
The Major Muscles Used In The Extension And Flexion Of The Arm
EXTENSION
Right arm viewed from
the side
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Origin tendons
Scapula
Triceps contracted
to extend elbow
Humerus
FLEXION
Right arm viewed from the side
Biceps relaxed
Insertion tendon
Biceps contracted
to flex elbow
Triceps
relaxed
Links
Radius
Ulna
Radius
Diagram/Table
Humerus
Activity
Ulna
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
MUSCLES IN ACTION
• Muscles can PULL by CONTRACTION: they cannot push.
• Muscles NEVER work alone – they always work in pairs or
groups.
Information/Discussion
• As one muscle contracts, another will relax.
Practical Application
Links
Diagram/Table
• These pairs of muscles are called ANTAGONISTIC PAIRS.
• The muscles that bring the bones together are the PRIME
MOVERS or AGONISTS (they cause the contraction).
• The opposite to this are the ANTAGONISTIC muscles – those
which relax.
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
MUSCLES IN ACTION
• Other muscles called SYNERGISTS contract at the same time as
the AGONIST to help it work smoothly – stop unnecessary
movement.
Information/Discussion
• FIXATORS are muscles which contract to steady parts of the
body to allow the working muscles a firm base.
Practical Application
Links
• Muscles have two ends and these are attached to bones by
TENDONS.
1) The end that attaches to the FIXED bone is called the ORIGIN.
Diagram/Table
2) The other end is called the INSERTION and is attached to the
MOVING bone.
Activity
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
TYPES OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION
Muscles contract in different ways to produce a range of
movements:
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
ISOTONIC
ISOKINETIC
These contractions
occur when the
speed of the
contraction remains
constant
Concentric
contraction
Eccentric
contraction
Muscle remains
the same length
Muscle
shortens as it
contracts
Muscle
lengthens but
is still under
tension
No movement as
a result
Ends of
muscle move
closer
together
Ends of
muscle move
further apart
Diagram/Table
Activity
ISOMETRIC
Helps to improve
posture and strength
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
MUSCLES AND JOINTS AS LEVERS
The LEVER SYSTEM in the body is formed wherever a MUSCLE
is attached to a BONE.
Information/Discussion
The MUSCLES use the BONES as the LEVERS against which they work
to cause movement.
Practical Application
FUNCTIONS OF A LEVER
Links
Diagram/Table
Generates more
force to move larger
weights
Produces a greater
range of movement
Increases speed at
which the body
moves
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
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MUSCLES AND JOINTS AS LEVERS
All levers have the same characteristic:
P/F PIVOT or FULCRUM
– the point of movement that takes the
strain of one moving away from
another.
L/R LOAD or RESISTANCE
– Body weight or external weight.
E
– A muscular force to move the load.
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
EFFORT
In the body, these are the:P/F
– Joints.
L/R
– Body weight or external weight.
E
– Muscles and Bones.
Diagram/Table
Activity
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
MUSCLES AND JOINTS AS LEVERS
Information/Discussion
There are 3 types of lever in the body, each of which is capable
of producing different types and ranges of movements and
forces.
Levers are classified according to the positions of:
Practical Application
EFFORT
FULCRUM / PIVOT
LOAD / RESISTANCE
Links
E
Diagram/Table
L
F
Activity
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
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MUSCLES AND JOINTS AS LEVERS
In the 3rd class lever, the effort E is between the fulcrum F and
the load L.
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
E
EFFORT
F
FULCRUM / PIVOT
L
LOAD / RESISTANCE
Links
Show/Hide arm
F
Diagram/Table
Activity
In this type of lever the muscle is attached close to the joint
allowing a long lever movement from a small muscular
contraction.
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function
The
Muscular
System
In Facilitating
And Improving
The
FunctionOfOf
The
Muscular
System
In Facilitating
And
Movement
Improving Movement
MUSCLES AND JOINTS AS LEVERS
• The use of this lever is to gain SPEED of movement of the
LOAD.
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
• The longer the lever, the greater is the turning force at the end of
it e.g. tennis rackets, golf clubs, fully extended arm while bowling
in cricket.
Links
Diagram/Table
Activity
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
MUSCLE TONE AND POSTURE
Healthy Lifestyle
Sporting Performance
Muscle tone can be seen when muscles are in a
state of slight tension and they are ready for action
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
• Regular training tones muscles and helps to create good
posture (the way the body is held in position).
• Muscles will hypertrophy (increase in size).
Diagram/Table
• Muscles will develop better endurance.
Activity
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UNIT 1 - Information
The Function
The
Muscular
System
In Facilitating
And Improving
The
FunctionOfOf
The
Muscular
System
In Facilitating
And
Movement
Improving Movement
MUSCLE TONE AND POSTURE
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
Diagram/Table
Activity
• Muscle tone developed by regular exercise makes daily tasks
such as shopping and gardening easier. It also helps to prevent
injury, as good posture reduces the strain on muscles; tendons
and ligaments.
• Good posture helps with sporting performance as special
positions are often crucial to success, e.g. the position
throughout the golf swing. People with good posture also feel
better about themselves. An upright body position is often a sign
of self confidence. People who are less confident will sometimes
show this in their body language, e.g. by adopting a slouched
posture.
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UNIT 1 – Practical Application
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
1. The third-order lever is the most common type of lever found in
the human body.
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Using the diagrams
to help you,
describe how a 3rd
class lever works in
the human body.
E
F
L
F
Links
Diagram/Table
E
EFFORT
F
FULCRUM / PIVOT
L
LOAD / RESISTANCE
Activity
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UNIT 1 – Practical Application
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
2.
Try and identify where the Fulcrum, Load and Effort are in the
following movements:
(i) Contraction of lower leg in readiness to kick a ball.
Information/Discussion
(ii) Squatting in readiness to forward roll: legs.
Practical Application
Links
Diagram/Table
Activity
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UNIT 1 – Practical Application
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
3.
Look at the labelled diagrams of the muscular system. Match each
label with its corresponding function by dragging the number and
dropping it next to the correct label.
Latissimus
dorsi
Deltoid
Pectorals
Information/Discussion
Triceps
Biceps
Gluteals
Practical Application
Abdominals
Obliques
Hamstring
Links
Quadriceps
Gastrocnemius
Diagram/Table
1
Activity
Flexes the knee and extends the hip
2 Extends the knee and flexes the hip
3 Extends the hip
4
Sideways flexion and rotation of spine
5
9 Extends the elbow
Extends and adducts the shoulders
6 Flexes, abducts and rotates the shoulders 10 Flexes the spine
7 Adducts and rotates the shoulders
11 Points the foot
8 Flexes the elbow
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Skeletal system
Respiratory system
Cardiovascular system
Aerobic / anaerobic systems
Energy continuum
Training zones
Intensity / duration of exercise
Short-term effects of exercise on the systems of the body
Long-term effects of exercise on the systems of the body
Body type
Diagram/Table
Activity
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The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
1.
What are the functions of levers in the body?
2.
What role do the bones, joints and muscles play in the
lever system of the body?
3.
Where is a lever system formed in the body?
4.
“The 3rd-class lever causes a small contraction of the
biceps when bending your arm, which produces a large
movement of the forearm.”
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
Diagram/Table
What other advantage does this type of lever system give?
Activity
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UNIT 1 – Key Facts/ Glossary
The Function Of The Muscular System In Facilitating And
Improving Movement
KEY FACTS
Skeletal system
Information/Discussion
Practical Application
Links
Healthy Lifestyles
MOVEMENT
Functions
Bones –
Appendicular/Axial
Muscular system
Functions
Optimal sporting
performance
Types/Voluntary/
Involuntary/Cardiac
Fibre Types
Slow / Fast
Joints
Characteristics
Type – Location – Movement allowed
Diagram/Table
Activity
Ligaments
Antagonistic Muscle Action
Tendons
Origin / Insertion
Cartilage
3rd Order Levers
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