Muscles, did you know?...
Did you know that muscles do all of these?
help with movement
perform bodily functions
aid circulation (as a metabolic pump)
help you to maintain posture
help with heat control
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Muscles work in pairs
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During movement muscles work to open and close the angle of the limbs. If we look at the thigh, the hamstrings help to bend the knee and the quads help to extend the leg and flex the hip. Muscles work in pairs - the biceps with the triceps and so on - one contracting and the other lengthening. Some complicated movements require many muscles to engage and take their turn in the operation.
Different types of muscle fibres/tissue perform different jobs. The smooth muscle of the bowels helps with peristalsis (the gentle contractions moving waster matter towards the exit of the bowels).
The soleus muscle works as a great pump to help with leg circulation. Our lymphatic system is operated via movement as the vessels are valve-less and pump-less.
Our muscles help to form our posture - they are like the guy ropes of a tent. If we sit hunched over all the time, eventually our chest muslces will tighten and draw our shoulders forward, and our mid back muscles will lengthen, and may become weaker.
When we shiver, our body is attempting to heat us up via the rapid muscular contractions.
This is just a small glimpse in to the fascinating world of muscles. Our bodies are amazing machines indeed!
