logo and page title


P&P #29. Categorisation of Certain Muscles as Antagonists May Be Inappropriate and Misleading.

It is common to label certain muscles as agonists and antagonists in a given joint action, even though the simultaneous action of opposing muscles logically would appear to be dangerous in simple actions such as throwing or kicking. In fact, the concurrent contraction of muscles not contributing directly to the main action is defined as 'spurious' muscle action in physiotherapy.

The involvement of concentric 'antagonistic' muscle action NEAR THE END of any movement (e.g. arm or leg extension at the end of a throw or kick) is logical and to be expected, where it can assist the eccentric action of the 'prime movers' to prevent the given joint from exceeding its normal range of movement - but any antagonistic action DURING the acceleration and other earlier phases of the rapid movement would be expected to slow the action, decrease its efficiency and lead to possible rupture. In fact, EMG studies by Basmajian also indicate that muscle antagonism is rare in many common limb actions. Does the concept of antagonistic muscles need to be discarded or seriously revised? Explain.


 TOP

Copyright © MCMXCVI by Giedon Ariel & Associates . All Rights Reserved.
Web Site Design by Gideon Ariel.  Updated MON 11 Nov 96
iexplore   netscape