Muscles and antagonistic pairs
I can label the major muscles of the body and describe how antagonistic pairs work together to produce movement.
Muscles and antagonistic pairs
I can label the major muscles of the body and describe how antagonistic pairs work together to produce movement.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The upper body contains muscles such as the deltiod, biceps, triceps, pectorals and abdominals and latissimus dorsi.
- The lower body contains muscles such as the gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius.
- Muscles are attached to bones by tendons.
- Muscles contract and relax to move bones in antagonistic pairs.
- As one muscle contracts (agonist/prime mover), the other relaxes (antagonist).
Keywords
Agonist - the muscle or group of muscles that works to create the movement
Antagonist - the muscle that works in the opposite way of the agonist
Fixator - a muscle which acts as the stabiliser and helps the agonist work effectively
Antagonistic pair - a pair of muscles that work together to produce movement - one contracts whilst the other relaxes
Tendon - a tough yet flexible band of fibrous tissue tissue that attaches muscle to bone
Common misconception
Muscles can pull and push.
Muscles are only able to pull, they work in antagonistic pairs so one muscle can contract to create a movement whilst the other relaxes in opposition and then their roles are reversed to move back.
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Muscles and antagonistic pairs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Muscles and antagonistic pairs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Anatomy and physiology: the musculoskeletal system unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the knee joint when preparing to kick a ball
the elbow joint when executing and following through a basketball shot
lifting the shoulder up to the side to save a shot going high right
standing with feet together before a gymnastics routine
looking to the side to breathe when swimming front crawl
Exit quiz
6 Questions
triceps
hamstring
gluteals
latissimus dorsi