Functions of the Muscular, Cardiovascular and Respiratory System

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Muscular System Muscle Fibres Muscle fibres can be classified down into two different types: -Slow twitch: These muscle fibres are very efficient at using oxygen to create more fuel. -Fast twitch: These muscle fibres use anaerobic metabolism to create fuel to power themselves. They are better at generating short bursts of activity to give strength or speed. Movement Antagonist: Biceps and triceps-The elbow joint lets our forearm move up or down. It is controlled by two muscles, the biceps on the front of the upper arm, and the triceps on the back of the upper arm. The biceps and the triceps are antagonistic muscles. This is when the biceps muscle contracts, the forearm moves up and when the triceps muscle contracts, the forearm moves down. Synergist: The synergist in a movement is the muscle’s that stabilises a joint around which movement is occurring, which in turn helps the agonist function effectively. Synergist muscles also help to create the movement. In the bicep curl the synergist muscles are the brachioradialis and brachialis which assist the biceps to create the movement. Agonist: The agonist in a movement is the muscle(s) that provides the major force to complete the movement. Because of this agonists are known as the ‘prime movers’. In the bicep curl which produces flexion at the elbow, the biceps muscle is the agonist, as seen in the image below. Fixator: is a muscle that stabilizes or fixes a part of the body to which a muscle in the process of moving another part is attached. Function Detail Provide movement The action of muscles allows you to change position and move around. Maintain posture Believe it or not, standing upright is a very difficult thing for the body to do due to the fact that gravity is pulling you down the only reason you stay standing is because of the actions of the muscles. Produce heat The
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