1) Describe the role of muscle and one example for each role.

1. Agonist:
- The agonist in a movement is the muscle 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
- The agonist is not always the muscle that is shortening (contracting
concentrically).
- In a bicep curl the bicep is the agonist on the way up when it contracts
concentrically, and on the way down when it contracts eccentrically

Example: In elbow flexion, the biceps muscle is the agonist.

2. Antagonist:
-The antagonist in a movement refers to the muscles that oppose the agonist.
During elbow flexion where the bicep is the agonist, the tricep muscle is the
antagonist.

Example: During elbow flexion where the bicep is the agonist, the tricep muscle is
the antagonist

3. 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.

Example: In the bicep curl the synergist muscles are the brachioradialis and
brachialis which assist the biceps to create the movement and stabilise the elbow
joint.

4. Fixator: The fixator in a movement is the muscle(s) that stabilises the origin of the
agonist and the joint that the origin spans (moves over) in order to help the agonist
function most effectively.

Example: In the bicep curl this would be the rotator cuff muscles, the ‘guardians of
the shoulder joint’. The majority of fixator muscles are found working around the hip
and shoulder joints.

2) Compare concentric and eccentric muscle contractions.

i) CONCENTRIC MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS

- A concentric contraction is a type of muscle contraction in which the muscles shorten
while generating force.
- Such contractions also alter the angle of the joints to which the muscles are attached,
as they are stimulated to contract according to the sliding filament mechanism.
- This occurs throughout the length of the muscle, generating force at the musculo-
tendinous junction, Causing the muscle to shorten and the angle of the joint to
change.
- For instance, a concentric contraction of the biceps would cause the arm to bend at
the elbow as the hand moves from near to the leg to close to the shoulder (a biceps
curl).
- A concentric contraction of the triceps would change the angle of the joint in the
opposite direction, straightening the arm and moving the hand toward the leg.

ii) ECCENTRIC MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS

- An eccentric contraction results in the elongation of a muscle.
- Such contractions decelerate the muscle joints (acting as “brakes” to concentric
contractions) and can alter the position of the load force.
- These contractions can be both voluntary and involuntary.
- During an eccentric contraction, the muscle elongates while under tension due to
an opposing force which is greater than the force generated by the muscle. of a
load

3) Describe and list open and close kinetic chain exercises.

There are two kinds of kinetic chain exercises: open and closed.

Open kinetic chain

- open kinetic chain is defined as a combination of successively arranged joints in
which the terminal segment can move freely.
- In an open-chain movement, the distal aspect of the extremity, or the end of the
chain farthest from the body, moves freely and is not fixed to an object.
Examples:
- Seated leg extension
- Leg curl
- Bench press
- Dumbbell biceps curl
- Lat pull-down

Closed kinetic chain

- closed-kinetic chain exercise as a condition or environment in which the distal
segment meets considerable external resistance and restrains movement.
- In a closed-chain movement, the distal end of the extremity is fixed, emphasizing
joint compression and, in turn, stabilizing the joints.
Examples :
- Squat
- Wall slides
- Lunges
- Elliptical training
- Stair stepper
- Versa Climber
- Push-ups