During knee extension, which muscle acts as the agonist?

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Multiple Choice

During knee extension, which muscle acts as the agonist?

Explanation:
The muscle group that produces knee extension is the quadriceps. When the quadriceps contract, they pull on the patella and, via the patellar ligament to the tibia, straighten the leg at the knee. This makes them the primary movers, or agonists, for knee extension. The hamstrings run along the back of the thigh and oppose this action by bending the knee, so they act as antagonists. The gastrocnemius and soleus mainly move the ankle (plantarflexion); while the gastrocnemius crosses the knee, its primary role isn’t knee extension, so it isn’t the main agonist here.

The muscle group that produces knee extension is the quadriceps. When the quadriceps contract, they pull on the patella and, via the patellar ligament to the tibia, straighten the leg at the knee. This makes them the primary movers, or agonists, for knee extension. The hamstrings run along the back of the thigh and oppose this action by bending the knee, so they act as antagonists. The gastrocnemius and soleus mainly move the ankle (plantarflexion); while the gastrocnemius crosses the knee, its primary role isn’t knee extension, so it isn’t the main agonist here.

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