Muscle Roles (Prime Movers & Antagonists)
These muscles oppose the quadriceps during knee extension.
What are the hamstrings?
During a wide‑grip pull‑up, the latissimus dorsi primarily performs this humeral action.
What is adduction of the humerus?
This muscle stabilizes the scapula during a push‑up.
What is the serratus anterior?
This muscle initiates the first ~15° of shoulder abduction during a lateral raise.
What is the supraspinatus?
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This is the correct response style students should use in Jeopardy.
What is answering in the form of a question?
During a reverse fly, this chest muscle acts as an antagonist to the movement.
What is the pectoralis major?
A jump squat uses more calf muscle because it includes more of this ankle action.
What is plantar flexion?
These muscles stabilize the humeral head during an overhead press.
What is the rotator cuff?
A dumbbell lateral raise creates a long ______ at the shoulder, increasing torque demand.
What is a moment arm?
This exercise best targets the gluteus medius because it emphasizes hip abduction.
What is a lateral lunge?
These muscle groups are the main prime movers during a squat
What are the gluteus maximus/hamstrings and quadriceps?
A lying hamstring curl does not strongly train gluteus maximus because this joint action is missing.
What is hip extension?
During a bent‑over row, this muscle group maintains a neutral spine.
What are the erector spinae?
Tightness in this calf muscle can limit dorsiflexion and reduce squat depth.
What is the gastrocnemius?
Bending the knees makes a supine leg raise easier because it shortens this biomechanical factor.
What is the lever (moment arm) length?
In reciprocal inhibition, when the biceps contract, this muscle relaxes.
What is the triceps brachii?
In hanging leg raises, the rectus abdominis helps create this pelvic action.
What is posterior pelvic tilt?
In a prone plank, this muscle helps prevent the trunk from sagging toward the floor.
What is the rectus abdominis?
In a seated calf raise, this plantar flexor is de‑emphasized because the knee is bent.
What is the gastrocnemius?
During a bench press, this pair of muscles contributes to horizontal pressing and elbow extension.
What are the pectoralis major and triceps brachii?
This prime mover is emphasized during a side crunch because the motion is lateral trunk flexion.
What is the quadratus lumborum?
In a (low) row versus a High row, this large back muscle generally does more work
What is the latissimus dorsi?
In a side plank, these hip muscles resist adduction on the bottom leg.
What are the hip abductors?
Heavier lifting recruits more of these fibers, which have greater hypertrophy potential.
What are Type II muscle fibers?
During a cable triceps pressdown, these muscles help prevent scapular elevation.
What are the lower trapezius, pectoralis minor, and serratus anterior?