1. Throwing a baseball overhead
Muscle: Deltoid
Action: The anterior deltoid flexes the shoulder, lifting the arm forward
Innervation: Axillary nerve
Muscle: Triceps Brachii
Action: The long head of the triceps extends the elbow, straightening the arm as the ball is released
Innervation: Radial nerve
2. Kicking a ball
Muscle: Gluteus Maximus
Action: The gluteus maximus extends the hip, pulling the thigh backward after kicking or during the follow-through.
Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve
Muscle: Tibialis Anterior
Action: This muscle dorsiflexes the foot, meaning it lifts the foot upwards toward the shin, crucial when preparing to strike the ball with the top of the foot.
Innervation: Deep fibular nerve
3. Doing sit-ups
Muscle: Rectus Abdominis
Action: The rectus abdominis brings the chest toward the pelvis when performing a sit-up.
Innervation: Thoracic Spinal Nerve
Muscle: Iliopsoas
Action: The iliopsoas pulls the thigh toward the abdomen during the sit-up motion.
Innervation: Femoral nerve
4. Breathing
Muscle: Diaphragm
Action: The diaphragm contracts and moves downward during inhalation.
Innervation: Phrenic nerve
Muscle: External Intercostals
Action: These muscles contract during inhalation, elevating the ribs and expanding the thoracic cavity laterally and anteriorly
Innervation: Intercostal nerves