What is movements of muscle?
The human musculature is composed of various types of muscles that generate a variety of movements within the body. Skeletal muscles, in particular, are responsible for voluntary movements and movements involved in daily activities. These muscles are attached to bones and work in pairs to facilitate actions such as:
Extension: Extension involves the straightening or lengthening of a joint. It is the opposite of flexion. For example, straightening your arm at the elbow is an extension movement.
Flexion: Flexion is the bending or shortening of a joint. It is the opposite of extension. For instance, bending your arm at the elbow is a flexion movement.
Abduction: Abduction is the movement of a limb or body part away from the midline of the body. For example, raising your arm out to the side is an abduction movement.
Adduction: Adduction is the movement of a limb or body part toward the midline of the body. Bringing your arm back down to your side from the raised position is an adduction movement.
Rotation: Rotation is the movement of a body part around a central axis. For example, turning your head from side to side is a rotation movement.
Supination: Supination is the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces upward. Rotating your palm from a facing down position to an upward position is a supination movement.
Pronation: Pronation is the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces downward. Rotating your palm from a facing up position to a downward position is a pronation movement.
Inversion: Inversion is the inward turning of the foot. For instance, turning your foot inward to face the midline of your body is an inversion movement.
Eversion: Eversion is the outward turning of the foot. Turning your foot outward away from the midline of your body is an eversion movement.
These movement are facilitated by the muscles working in opposing pairs known as agonist and antagonist muscles. While the agonist muscle contracts to produce the desired movement, the antagonist muscle relaxes to allow for the movement to happen. As you perform various activities throughout the day, these muscles in your body coordinate and perform these movements seamlessly.