Muscle Groups and Functions

Human Anatomy and Physiology
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1. Please explain about the various muscles groups and what they do
The muscle groups in the human body are divided into five major categories; Chest,
Abdominal, Back, (Arms and Shoulders), (Buttocks and Legs).
(a) Chest
The major type of muscle of the chest is the pectorals whose main function is to provide
support when someone is holding objects in front of the body and are activated when a
person reaches across his/her body (Zatsiorsky & Prilutsky, 2018).
(b) Back
These muscles include;
(i) Latissimus Dorsi
This is a large, flat muscle on the back which stretches to sides behind the arm which are
involved in facilitating the pulling movements in the body and compliments the arms in
performing activities like swimming (Buenzli & Sims, 2015).
(ii) Rhomboid
They are located on the upper back, and they play an important role in supporting the
scapulae and the back movements.
(iii) Trapezius
It is located between the neck and the shoulders. It is also known as the traps which controls
the scapulae blades and very important in neck movements and shrugging.
(iv) Teres Muscle

Located under the latissimus and works with the latissimus and as a rotator cuffs. Its
involved in single exercises like pullovers and pulldowns and compound exercises like
shoulder presses, rows and deadlifts.
(v) Erector Spinae
It’s a group of muscle that rotates and straightens the back. They are important when bending
sideways and forward (Buenzli & Sims, 2015).
(c) Arms and Shoulders
These includes;
(i) Biceps
The muscle is found in front of the upper arm. It controls the motion of the elbow joints and
the shoulders
(ii) Triceps
It is found on the back of the upper arm and it helps in stabilizing the shoulder joint and also
it straightens the elbow joints (Mok et al, 2015).
(iii) Deltoids
These muscles are also called shoulder muscles used in body lifting movements. The muscles
provide support when carrying things.
(d) Abdominal
The abdominal muscles assist in protecting the inner organs and in breathing processes.
These muscles are crucial in bending over motions, maintenance of good posture and in