December
Function:
The back muscles are comprised of three separate muscles that collectively elevate the collarbone and move the shoulder blades up, down, and/or back.
The latissimus dorsi draw the arms and shoulders down and back, drawing the arms in and rolling the arm toward the midline of the body in the rear.
The trapezius raise the collarbone, raise and lower the shoulder blades, and draw the shoulder blades toward the midline of the body in the rear.
The rhomboids draw the shoulder blades back and up and roll them slightly downward.
Activities:
The muscles of the back are used in activities such as:
- pull ups
- rope climbing
- swimming
- rowing a boat, and
- raking leaves
Strength Exercises:
Exercises to strengthen the back muscles would include:
- pull ups
- rowing type exercises, and
- shoulder shrugs
Flexibility Exercises:
Examples of stretching exercises for the back muscles would be to:
- give yourself a "selfhug" while adding a slight forward bend, pushing the elbow up and out to the front (lats)
- to clasp your hands behind your back and lift your arms upward, pulling your shoulders downward and back while holding your head slightly forward (traps), and
- to interlock the fingers of both hands and press them out in front of the body while rounding the spine (rhomboids)
For more information on muscles, logon to
and type the word "muscles" into the search box.
< Back to Monthly Health/Fitness Concepts