Muscular-skeletal system
An explanation of how the muscular-skeletal system functions during physical exercise
The muscular system works in conjunction with the skeleton to produce movement of the limbs and body.
Ligaments and tendons are two main types of connective tissues that help the muscular-skeletal system produce movements.
Ligaments:
- attach bone to bone
- act to give stability to joints
- are tough, white and inelastic
Tendons:
- attach muscle to bone
- carry the force from muscle contraction to the bone
- are tough, greyish and inelastic
The muscles contract to pull on the bones to produce movements. Joints are able to move in a variety of directions to allow us to perform a range of sporting movements.
An analysis of a netball shot shows how the muscular-skeletal system works together to produce this throw.
| Joint | Type of movement | Bones | Muscles | Muscle contraction | |
| Phase 1 | Elbow | Flexion | Humerus, radius, ulna | Biceps, triceps | Concentric |
| Phase 2 | Elbow | Extension | Humerus, radius, ulna | Triceps, biceps | Concentric |
| Phase 1 | |
| Joint | Elbow |
| Type of movement | Flexion |
| Bones | Humerus, radius, ulna |
| Muscles | Biceps, triceps |
| Muscle contraction | Concentric |
| Phase 2 | |
| Joint | Elbow |
| Type of movement | Extension |
| Bones | Humerus, radius, ulna |
| Muscles | Triceps, biceps |
| Muscle contraction | Concentric |
Question
Complete the table to analyse a rugby conversion kick.
| Joint | Type of movement | Bones | Muscles | Muscle contraction | |
| Phase 1 | Knee | ||||
| Phase 2 | Knee |
| Phase 1 | |
| Joint | Knee |
| Type of movement | |
| Bones | |
| Muscles | |
| Muscle contraction |
| Phase 2 | |
| Joint | Knee |
| Type of movement | |
| Bones | |
| Muscles | |
| Muscle contraction |
| Joint | Type of movement | Bones | Muscles | Muscle contraction | |
| Phase 1 | Knee | Flexion | Femur, fibula, tibia | Hamstrings, quadriceps | Concentric |
| Phase 2 | Knee | Extension | Femur, fibula, tibia | Quadriceps, hamstrings | Concentric |
| Phase 1 | |
| Joint | Knee |
| Type of movement | Flexion |
| Bones | Femur, fibula, tibia |
| Muscles | Hamstrings, quadriceps |
| Muscle contraction | Concentric |
| Phase 2 | |
| Joint | Knee |
| Type of movement | Extension |
| Bones | Femur, fibula, tibia |
| Muscles | Quadriceps, hamstrings |
| Muscle contraction | Concentric |