A brief explanation of the different muscle groups

A brief explanation of the different muscle groups.

In this blog we will be discussing a brief explanation of the different muscle groups in the human body, as there are many muscles in the human body. We are often asked what the names of these muscles are, where they are located and what exercise they can do to train this muscle.

So in this blog we will be giving you a brief explanation on the different muscle groups in the human body.

ABDOMINAL

Abdominal (Abs) are large group of muscles at the front of your trunk (lower torso) that make up some of the core. They assist in the regular breathing movement and supports the muscles of the spine while lifting and keeping abdominal organs such as the intestines in place.

A simple sit-up or crunch exercise will help develop these muscles.

ADDUCTORS

The leg adductor makes up the inside of the thigh. It contracts and pulls the hip towards the body’s midline, so the adductor muscle brings the leg towards the body making the legs closer together. The adductor is a antagonist of the hip abductors. You will use your leg adductors mainly when moving from side to side or activities like horse riding.

BACK

Your main muscle in the back is called your latissimi dorsi (lats). This is a vast triangular muscle positioned in the mid-section of your back. You have a lat muscle on each side of your back starting from the armpit and then joining together at the spinal column where it is partly covered by the lower part of the trapezius.

BACK (LOWER)

The lower part of the back (lumbar vertebrae) makes up apart of your core area (trunk) and allows for flexibility and movement in back bending (extension) and forward bending (flexion). It does not permit twisting. If you train your lower back regularly with a mixture of strength and stretch exercises then it can help prevent back pain.

The exercise shown, is done on a stability ball. This is just one variation of doing a back extension. You will feel your hamstrings too.

BACK (UPPER)

The largest muscle that makes up the majority part of your upper back is known as the trapezius (traps). This large muscle extends longitudinally from the posterior of the neck to the lower thoracic region of your back and laterally to the shoulder blade. You have a trap on each side of your upper back and they join in the middle at the spinal column.

There are many ways to target this muscle – The upright row being one of many.

BICEPS

The bicep is situated at the front end of your upper arm between the elbow and the shoulder and is the antagonist of the tricep . It is made up of two parts meaning it is smaller than the tricep. It is the muscle principally responsible for flexing the forearm at the elbow joint (bending of the arm).

A simple bicep curl will target the biceps.

BUTTOCKS

The main muscle in the buttocks is know as the gluteus maximus (glutes). This is one of the strongest muscles in the body and is responsible for the movement of the hip and thigh. Often used for standing up from the sitting position, climbing stairs, lunges and maintaining the trunk in an erect position.

CALVES

The calf muscle is made up of two muscles and is the back proportion of the lower leg. It is linked from the knee joint down to the ankle. During walking, running and jumping the calf muscle is used to pull the heel up, to allow forward movement. A good way to strengthen your calves is to do calf raises.

CHEST

The chest is also referred to as pectorals (pecs). The pectorial muscles make up a majority of the chest and are split into two parts. Your pectorals major and pectorals minor. Your pectorals (pecs) start at the shoulder and join with each other in the middle of your chest at the sternum (breast bone). Press-ups are a good exercise to target these muscles.

HAMSTRINGS

Hamstrings are the three muscles behind the thigh. They cross both the hip and the knee joint and are therefor involved in flexing the knee and help assist in extending the hip. They play a crucial role in every day activities such as walking, running jumping and controlling some movement in the trunk. They are antagonists to the quads.

HIP ABDUCTORS

The hip abductor muscle group is located on the lateral side of the thigh and moves the thigh away from the body’s midline. Any exercise where it involves your leg moving away from your midline – out to your side will result in using your hip abductors so spreading your legs to do a split is an example of a movement involving the hip abductor muscles.

OBLIQUES

Obliques lie on the lateral sides of the abdominal region of the body, meaning they are on the sides of your trunk and make up apart of your core. Contraction of these muscles result in several different actions, but they are best known for their lateral flexion and rotation of the trunk.

QUADRICEPS

Quadriceps (Quads) are group of muscles at the front of the thigh and make up a majority of the leg. There are precisely four muscles that make up the quads. The quads are used to extend the knee and are often used for walking, running, jumping, squatting and other physical activities.

SHOULDERS

The main muscle of the shoulder is called the deltoid (delts). It is split into three parts:- Anterior, middle and posterior. The deltoid muscle is responsible for the brunt of all arm rotation being able to travel in many different directions. This muscle also helps prevent dislocation of the shoulder joint.

The dumbbell shoulder press is a good exercise to target your shoulders.

TRICEPS

The tricep is situated at the posterior end of your upper arm and is the antagonist of the bicep . It is made up of three parts meaning it is the largest muscle out of the two. It is the muscle principally responsible for extension of the elbow joint (straightening of the arm).

TRANSVERSE ABS (TVA)

Transverse Abs or TVA is your deepest layer of muscle in your core and is wrapped around your midsection under your abs and obliques. Its function is to stabilise the pelvis and lower back as well as help with breathing. It also helps pregnant women deliver their child. Can also be known as the ‘corset’ muscle.

A brief explanation of the different muscle groups

A brief explanation of the different muscle groups.

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