Muscles

    MUSCLE OF THE WEEK

    Quadriceps
    Discover more about this muscle during your physical education class this week!
     

    Week 7 Triceps

    The triceps muscle is located on the back of your upper arm. It is called triceps because the "tri" part of its name means "three" and "ceps" means "heads." Therefore, triceps means three heads.
    Put your hand near your head and pretend you're going to throw a ball. Squeeze the back of your upper arm with your other hand. That's your triceps muscle. Now pretend to throw the ball and extend your hand away from you. You should be able to feel your triceps working. When the triceps muscle contracts, it extends the forearm at the elbow joint.
    What kinds of skills does the triceps muscle help you do?
    Answer: Push-ups, swinging a bat, bouncing a ball, and handball.
     

    Week 6 Biceps

    The biceps muscle is located on the front side of your upper arm. It is called biceps because the "bi" part of its name means "two" and "ceps" means "heads." Therefore, biceps means two heads.
    Hold your arm out in front of you with your palm up. Squeeze the front of the upper arm with your other hand. That's your biceps muscle. The biceps muscle helps you lift heavy things.
    What kinds of skills does the biceps muscle help you do?
    Answer: Chin ups, hugs, carrying your books, and dribbling a basketball.
     

    Week 5 Latissimus Dorsi

    The latissimus dorsi is located in the lower back.
    "Latissiumus" means "wide" and "dorsi" means" back. Therefore, latissimus dorsi means wide back.
    Put one hand high in the sky in front of you. With your other hand, reach around and feel your back below your arm pit. That's the top of your latissimus dorsi. Now, bring your arm down and you can feel it work. When the latissimus contracts, it brings the arm down at the shoulder joint.
    What kinds of skills does the latissimus dorsi help you do?
    Answer: Throw a ball, pull-ups, swim, and jumping jacks.
     

    Week 4 Pectoralis Major

    The pectoralis major muscle is located in the chest.
    It is called the pectoralis major muscle because "pectaralis" means "chest bone." which is where the muscle is attached, and "major" means "the larger." Therefore, pectoralis major means the larger muscle of the chest.
    The pectoralis major helps you to perform push-ups. If you put your arm straight out in front of you and pinch the front of your arm pit with your other hand, you will feel your pectoralis major work. This muscle draws the arm forward at the shoulder joint.
    What other kinds of skills does the pectoralis major muscle help you do?
    Answer: Swing a bat or tennis racket, push things, and throwing.
     

    Week 3 Sternocleidomastoid

    The sternocleidomastoid muscle is found on the front side of the neck. It is called the sternocleidomastoid because the muscle is attached to three bones: the sternum (sterno), the clavicle (cleido), and the mastoid process of the skull (mastoid).
    The sternocleidomastoid turns your head from side to side. If you turn your head to the left and feel the right side of your neck, you can feel your right sternocleidomastoid sticking out. Turn your head to the right side, and your left sternocleidomastoid will stick out.
    What other kinds of skills does the sternocleidomastoid muscle help you do?
    Answer: Turning your head to see things and breathing when you swim.
     

    Week 2 Deltoid

    The deltoid muscle got its name from the Greek letter Delta because it looks like that letter. That letter is "D" to you and me!
    If you squeeze the top of your arms, you will feel your deltoid muscle. Now, lift your arm and you can feel it work. When the deltoid muscle contracts, it lifts the arm at the shoulder joint.
    What other kinds of skills does the deltoid muscle help you do besides lift your arm and do jumping jacks?
    Answer: It helps you throw your arms in front of you when running, jumping, lifting anything with the arms, waving, and hugging, too!
     

    Week 1 Trapezius

    The trapezius muscle is found in the back of the neck and shoulder. It is named after the shape of the four-sided trapezoid.
    If you squeeze the top of your shoulder, you will feel the top part of the trapezius muscle. Lift that shoulder and you feel it work! The trapezius muscle lifts and pulls back the shoulder.
    What other kinds of skills does the trapezius muscle do besides helping you to sit up straight at your desk?
    Answer: It helps you to raise your head, swing a bat, shrug your shoulders, and give hugs!