The muscular and skeletal systems
Muscles
Muscles
The Muscles of the Body
The Muscles of the Body
Muscles are the meaty parts of the body. In dance it is the striated or skeletal muscles which are more important. The muscles are controlled by the nervous system which sends electrochemical energy impulses which cause the muscle fibres to contract and the joints to move. Muscles are attached by tendons to the bone at each end. The origin stays still and the insertion is the end which pulls and moves.
Muscles have three properties.
- Extensibility, the ability to lengthen.
- Conductivity, the ability to send and receive messages.
- Contractibility, the ability to contract and shorten.
Muscles function with oxygen and energy from a good blood supply. A strong body moves freely, efficiently and above all safely.
Image credits
Muscles - source: Essentials of strength training and conditioning.