muscle contractions: antagonistic muscle action

Question 1

define antagonistic pair

Answer 1

as one muscle contracts the other relaxes

Question 2

what is the agonsit

Answer 2

the prime mover (muscle causing the movement)

Question 3

what is the antagonist

Answer 3

muscle that opposes movement of the agonist

Question 4

what is the rule of antagoistic pairs in the downwards phase

Answer 4

the agonist and antagonist switch
e.g. flexion at the elbow is usually agonist = biceps, antagonist = triceps
BUT
in downwards phase of a press up, agonsit = triceps, antagonist = biceps