1. GCSE Physical Education The Muscular System

2. Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson pupils should:
Know the major muscle groups
Understand the physical activities which
benefit them
The role of muscles in movement

3. The Muscular System

4. The Muscular System The term ‘muscular system’ describes all the
muscles in the body and how they work.
Creates movement as a result of muscle
contracting and relaxing (lengthening). Muscles
also define body shape and maintain posture,
whether sitting or standing
Muscles work either:
- voluntarily (through planned movements) or
- involuntarily (contracting/lengthening by
themselves)

5. Voluntary & Involuntary Muscles

6. Muscles & Movement

7. Muscles & Movement Muscles are attached to the bones of the
skeleton by tendons
Muscles are made up of many muscle fibres
and when these pull against the skeleton
(contract), movement takes place
Muscles cannot push, this is why they are
arranged in pairs so the other muscle can
pull in the opposite direction

8. Antagonistic Pairs

9. Antagonistic Pairs Muscles are arranged in antagonistic pairs,
so when one muscle contracts and pulls,
the other relaxes to allow the joint to work
The biceps and triceps are arranged in an
antagonistic pair to allow movement in the
forearm
This pair of muscles work antagonistically
during a bicep curl and a tricep dip

10. The Muscles

11. There are 11 specific muscles you need to know for the examination:
The Muscles
There are 11 specific muscles you need
to know for the examination:

12. The Deltoid

13. The Deltoid The deltoid gives the rounded shape of the shoulder
It abducts (takes away) the
upper arm from the body
Can be improved by lifting a
weight above the head

14. The Trapezius

15. The Trapezius The trapezius is attached to the
head and neck at the top, and the
shoulder below
Its function is to lift the shoulder,
brace it back, and rotate the
shoulder blade
Can be improved by rowing and
shoulder shrugs

16. The Latissimus Dorsi

17. The Latissimus Dorsi The latissimus dorsi is a sheet of
muscle which connects from the
lower spine to the humerus
Its function is to abduct (take away)
and rotate the arms. This draws
them back and inwards to the body
Can be improved by performing pull-
ups

18. The Pectoral Muscle

19. The Pectoral Muscle The pectoral muscle covers the chest
Its function is to adduct (move
toward the body) the arm and draw
the arm forwards and rotate it
inwards
Can be improved by performing
bench presses or push-ups

20. The Abdominal Muscles

21. The Abdominal Muscles The abdominal muscles hold the stomach in
They make flexing, bending forward
and rotating the trunk to the side
possible, and also help good
posture
Can be improved by rowing and
performing sit-ups correctly

22. The Biceps & Triceps

23. The Biceps & Triceps When the arm is extended
(straightened), the triceps contracts
and the biceps relaxes
When the arm is flexed (bent), the
triceps relaxes and the biceps
contracts
Can be improved by performing
press-ups correctly

24. The Gluteal Muscles

25. The Gluteal Muscles These form the buttocks. The largest
of the gluteal muscles is the gluteus
maximus. It attaches to the femur
Its function is to pull the leg
backwards (extend)
Can be improved by performing
squats and lunges

26. The Quadriceps

27. The Quadriceps The quadriceps are found on the front of the upper leg
Its function is to extend (straighten)
the leg at the knee joint
Can be improved by performing
squats

28. The Hamstrings

29. The Hamstrings The hamstrings are found on the
back of the leg and stretch from the
bottom part of the pelvis to the tibia
Its function is to bend (flex) the knee
Can be improved by performing
leg curls

30. The Gastrocnemius

31. The Gastrocnemius The gastrocnemius starts at the
back of the femur. They come
together to form the Achilles tendon
Its function is to point the toes
(plantar flex) away from the foot
Can be improved by performing calf
raises

32. Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask
Thank you
Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask