Antigravity Muscles: What They Are, Types, Characteristics And Functions
Whether standing, sitting, pointing, or doing a yoga pose, we need to use various muscles that counter the effects of gravity. The posture, even if it is static, requires the activation of several muscles that counteract the force discovered by Isaac Newton.
The muscles involved in this task are known as antigravity muscles , which we are going to discover below along with their functions and locations. Keep reading to learn them.
The antigravity muscles are a set of muscle groups that allow us to stand from a lying position They are called that because their most important function is to support the force of gravity to maintain a certain posture, helping to resist its constant pressure.
Their joint action works synergistically and harmoniously to overcome the gravitational force on our joints and give us stability and balance.
Antigravity muscles, also known as postural muscles, are a group of muscles responsible for maintaining upright posture and resisting the force of gravity during movement. These muscles play a crucial role in stabilizing the body, supporting skeletal structures, and facilitating efficient movement patterns. In this article, we delve into the functions, anatomy, and importance of antigravity muscles in human physiology.
Among the various functions of the antigravity muscles we can highlight the following:
1. Postural function
The postural function is the most important of the antigravity muscles. This is due to They are responsible for keeping us in a certain posture Although the posture in question is static, this does not mean that several of our muscles are not working. On the contrary, to remain standing, with one arm raised or inclined in a certain way, the postural action of the antigravity muscles is necessary.
2. Proprioceptive function
Antigravity muscles tell the brain whether we are standing, sitting or in any other position thanks to the fact that it has proprioceptors in different body segments that send information to the cerebral cortex. That is to say, These muscles have sensors that send signals to the brain that inform it in what position the body is in
3. Tonicity function
antigravity muscles Due to their continuous traction, they are responsible for giving the body a toned appearance if they are worked.
Antigravity muscles are located primarily in the trunk, lower limbs, and posterior chain of the body. Key antigravity muscles include:
Erector spinae: Located along the spine, these muscles extend the vertebral column and provide support during standing and lifting.
Quadriceps femoris: Located in the front of the thigh, these muscles extend the knee joint and support the body’s weight during activities such as walking and standing.
Gastrocnemius and soleus: Located in the calf, these muscles plantarflex the ankle joint and support body weight during standing and walking.
Gluteus maximus: Located in the buttocks, this muscle extends the hip joint and stabilizes the pelvis during weight-bearing activities.
Antigravity muscles are essential for maintaining functional mobility, balance, and postural control in daily activities and sports performance. They provide the foundation for efficient movement patterns, reduce the risk of falls and injuries, and support overall musculoskeletal health.
Training and Conditioning
Training and conditioning programs targeting antigravity muscles can help improve postural stability, joint integrity, and movement efficiency. Exercises such as squats, deadlifts, lunges, and planks can strengthen antigravity muscles and enhance overall functional capacity.
Specific functions, origin and insertion
Human beings have several antigravity muscles, so we can talk about multiple origins and insertions of these tissues.
1. Antigravity muscles of the thorax and abdomen
The antigravity muscles of the thorax and abdomen are the diaphragm and transversus.
1.1. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a muscle that divides the thorax from the abdominal cavity, acting as a kind of anatomical septum This muscle provides stability and balance to the body and, when it contracts, it increases the emptying of blood found in the liver.
It has diverse origins because it is composed of several fibers. These are anchored in all the anatomical structures that make up the lower costal opening. Its insertion is a clover-shaped center where all its muscle fibers converge.
The transversus is a muscle located below the oblique abdominis Its function is to increase intra-abdominal pressure and constrict the abdomen, which makes this muscle very necessary to perform the movements of urination, defecation and exhalation.
It originates from the medial aspect of the fifth and sixth ribs and from the costiform processes of the lumbar vertebrae L1-L5. It is inserted in the midline of the body, specifically in the pectineal line (of the chest), pubic crest and linea alba This anatomical structure is called the arch of Douglas.
2. Antigravity muscles of the upper limb
The most notable antigravity muscle of the upper limb is the triceps This muscle is located in the back of the humerus and its main function is the extension of the forearm and arm.
It is made up of three portions: a long one, which originates from the scapular infraglenoid tubercle; a lateral one, originating above the humeral torsion canal; and a medial portion, which originates inferiorly to the humeral torsion canal. The three portions insert into the olecranon through the triceps tendon.
The antigravity muscles of the lower limb are the quadriceps femoris, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, iliopsoas and hip adductor.
3.1. Quadriceps femoris
The quadriceps femoris is located in the leg, at the level of the femur and Its main function is the extension of the knee This is considered the main antigravity muscle because, thanks to it, we can remain standing and support our weight.
As with the triceps, the quadriceps femoris is made up of portions, in this case four. The lateral portion It originates in the external and upper parts of the femur, inserting into the lower area of the greater trochanter ; The medial portion originates from the intertrochanteric line going to the linea aspera of the femur, inserting into the patella; The intermediate originates in the upper two thirds of the lateral surface of the femur, and the anterior portion originates in the anterior inferior iliac spine and in the cotyloid brow.
All portions of the quadriceps femoris join together at the most distal part of the femur, forming a large tendon that attaches to the base and sides of the kneecap.
3.2. Gluteus medius
The function of the gluteus medius is to abduct and rotate the femur This gluteus originates from the lateral edge of the iliac crest, external iliac fossa, gluteal aponeurosis, and anterior superior iliac spine. It is inserted into the external surface of the greater trochanter.
3.3. Gluteus maximus
The gluteus maximus It is located at the level of the iliac crests It has various functions, the most notable being the flexion of the thigh over the pelvis and the recovery of the erect position from the crouched position. It originates in the upper two-thirds of the external iliac fossa, in the coccyx, in the sacroiliac ligaments and the upper part of the sacrum. It is inserted into the linea aspera, at the level of its trifurcation.
The iliopsoas is a muscle whose main action is hip flexion Its origin can be found in the transverse process of the lumbar vertebrae and internal iliac fossa and its insertion is the lesser trochanter of the femur.
3.5. Hip adductor
As the last antigravity muscle on the list, we talk about the hip adductor, which is made up of two bellies, found in the thigh with a triangular shape. It is responsible for retroversion of the pelvis, keeping the spine stable. At the level of the femur it acts as an adductor and internal rotator.
The hip adductor It originates at the level of the pelvis, in the posterior two-thirds of the ischiopubic ramus One of its bellies is inserted into the linea aspera of the femur, while the other is inserted into the posterior surface of the medial condyle of the femur.
Conclusion
Antigravity muscles play a critical role in maintaining postural stability, joint integrity, and movement control in the human body. By understanding the functions, anatomy, and importance of these muscles, individuals can optimize their training and conditioning programs to support overall health, performance, and quality of life.
