Elbow Joint (hinge)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Biceps | Triceps | Trapezius |
Extension | Triceps | Biceps | Trapezius |
Radio-ulnar joint (pivot)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Pronation (palm down) | Pronator Teres | Biceps | |
Supination (palm up) | Biceps | Pronator Teres |
Shoulder joint (ball & socket)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Anterior Deltoid | Posterior Deltoid | Erector Spinae |
Extension | Posterior Deltoid | Anterior Deltoid | Erector Spinae |
Abduction | Deltoids | Latissimus Dorsi | Erector Spinae |
Adduction | Latissimus Dorsi | Deltoids | Erector Spinae |
External Rotation | Infraspinatus | Pectoralis Major | Deltoids |
Internal Rotation | Pectoralis Major | Infraspinatus | Deltoids |
Circumduction | |||
Horizontal flexion | Pectoralis Major | Latissimus Dorsi/ Trapezius | Biceps |
Horizontal extension | Latissimus Dorsi/ Trapezius | Pectoralis Major | Biceps |
Elevation | Levator Scapulae | Rhomboids | Erector Spinae |
Depression | Trapezius | Levator Spinae | Erector Spinae |
Spine (pivot)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Lateral Flexion | Rectus abdominus & erector spinae muscles on one side | Rectus abdominus & erector spinae muscles on other side | Quadriceps & hamstrings |
Flexion | Rectus abdominus | Erector Spinae | Quadriceps & hamstrings |
Extension | Erector Spinae | Rectus abdominus | Quadriceps & hamstrings |
Rotation | Obliques | Obliques (opposite) | Quadriceps & hamstrings |
Hip joint (ball & socket)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Ilio-psoas | Gluteus maximus | Erector Spinae |
Extension | Gluteus maximus | Ilio-psoas | Erector Spinae |
Adduction | Adductor longus, magnus & brevis | Gluteus maximus | Erector Spinae |
Abduction | Gluteus maximus | Adductor longus, magnus & brevis | Erector Spinae |
Internal Rotation | |||
External Rotation |
Knee joint (hinge)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Hamstrings | Quadriceps | Tibialis Anterior/ Ilio psoas |
Extension | Quadriceps | Hamstrings | Tibialis Anterior/ Ilio psoas |
Ankle Joint (condyloid)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Dorsiflexion | Tibialis Anterior | Gastrocnemius | Quads/Hams |
Plantar flexion | Gastrocnemius | Tibialis Anterior | Quads/Hams |
Agonist, antagonist and fixators involved in joint actions
Elbow Joint (hinge)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Bicep | Tricep | Trapezius |
Extension | Trapezius |
Radio-ulnar joint (pivot)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Pronation (palm down) | Pronator teres | Biceps | |
Supination (palm up) |
Shoulder joint (ball & socket)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Anterior deltoid | Posterior deltoid | Erector Spinae |
Extension | Erector Spinae | ||
Abduction | Erector Spinae | ||
Adduction | Erector Spinae | ||
Lateral Rotation | Deltoids | ||
Medial Rotation | Deltoids | ||
Horizontal flexion | Biceps | ||
Horizontal extension | Biceps |
Spine (pivot)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Lateral Flexion | Rectus abdominus & erector spinae muscles on one side | Rectus abdominus & erector spinae muscles on other side | Quadriceps & hamstrings |
Flexion | Quadriceps & hamstrings | ||
Extension | Quadriceps & hamstrings | ||
Rotation | Quadriceps & hamstrings |
Hip joint (ball & socket)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Ilio-psoas | Gluteus maximus | Erector Spinae |
Extension | Erector Spinae | ||
Adduction | Erector Spinae | ||
Abduction | Erector Spinae | ||
Medial Rotation | |||
Lateral Rotation |
Knee joint (hinge)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Flexion | Tibialis Anterior/ Ilio psoas | ||
Extension | Tibialis Anterior/ Ilio psoas |
Ankle Joint (condyloid)
Movement | Prime mover | Antagonist | Fixator |
Dorsiflexion | Quads/Hams | ||
Plantar flexion | Quads/Hams |