Antagonistic muscles (Agonist and Antagonist)
May 5th, 2023 12:07 PM Mr. Q Categories: Exercise
Antagonistic (an·tag·o·nis·tic) n – Antagonist and Agonist muscles often occur in pairs, called antagonistic pairs. As one muscle contracts, the other relaxes.The agonist is the muscle or muscle group that is primarily responsible for the movement, while the antagonist is the muscle or muscle group that opposes the movement and helps to control it. An example of an antagonisic pair is the biceps (flexor) and triceps (extendor); to contract – the triceps relaxes while the biceps contracts to lift the arm.
Agonist ag·o·nist (āg’ə-nĭst) n – muscles cause a movement to occur through their own contraction.
Antagonist (an-tag-uh-nist) n – muscles oppose a specific movement.
Flexor & Extensor according to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Flexor (flek’sŏr) ta: Muscles that decreasing the angle.
Extensor (eks-ten’sŏr, -sōr), ta: Muscles that open/straight the angle of the joint.
For this reason, focus on a balanced workout:
For example, during a bicep curl, the bicep muscle is the agonist as it contracts to lift the weight towards the shoulder, while the tricep muscle is the antagonist as it lengthens to allow the movement to occur and helps to control the speed of the movement.
Understanding the relationship between agonist and antagonist muscle groups is important in developing balanced muscle strength and preventing muscle imbalances that can lead to injury.
| Agonist | Antagonist |
|---|---|
| Abductors | Adductors |
| Abs* | Erector spinae* |
| Anterior tibialis | Gastrocnemius |
| Back | Chest |
| Biceps* | Triceps* |
| Calves | Tibialis Anterior |
| Deltoids | Lats |
| Forearms | Triceps |
| Glutes | Hip flexors |
| Hamstrings* | Quads* |
| Levator scapulae | Rhomboids |
| Obliques (Side Abs) | Transverse abdominis |
| Pectorals | Back |
| Quads* | Hamstrings* |
| Rectus abdominis | Erector spinae* |
| Serratus anterior | Rhomboids |
| Shoulders | Back |
| Soleus | Tibialis Anterior |
| Trapezius lower | Trapezius upper |
| Triceps* | Biceps* |
| Triceps surae | Tibialis Anterior |