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This lesson covers the 11 major muscles required by the OCR GCSE PE specification (J587). You need to be able to identify each muscle, know its location, understand the movement it produces, and apply this knowledge to sporting actions.
The OCR specification requires you to know the following muscles:
| Muscle | Location | Primary Action |
|---|---|---|
| Deltoid | Shoulder (covering the shoulder joint) | Abduction, flexion, and extension of the arm at the shoulder |
| Trapezius | Upper back and neck | Moves and stabilises the scapula; extends and rotates the neck |
| Latissimus dorsi | Lower and mid back (large, flat muscle) | Adduction, extension, and rotation of the arm at the shoulder |
| Pectorals | Chest (front) | Adduction, flexion, and rotation of the arm at the shoulder |
| Biceps | Front of the upper arm | Flexion at the elbow |
| Triceps | Back of the upper arm | Extension at the elbow |
| Abdominals | Front of the trunk / stomach area | Flexion of the trunk (bending forward), rotation of the trunk |
| Quadriceps | Front of the thigh | Extension at the knee |
| Hamstrings | Back of the thigh | Flexion at the knee, extension at the hip |
| Gluteals | Buttocks | Extension, abduction, and rotation at the hip |
| Gastrocnemius | Back of the lower leg (calf) | Flexion at the knee, pointing the foot (raising the heel) |
Exam Tip: The OCR specification requires 11 muscles including the trapezius. Make sure you can locate all 11 on a diagram. Practise labelling a blank body outline from memory — this is a common exam question format.
The deltoid is a thick, triangular muscle that covers the shoulder joint, giving the shoulder its rounded shape.
The trapezius is a large, diamond-shaped muscle that covers the upper back and the back of the neck. It is one of the largest muscles in the back.
Exam Tip: The trapezius is an OCR-specific muscle that you must know. Its key role is in moving and stabilising the scapula. Think of it as the muscle that controls your shoulder blades.
The latissimus dorsi (often called "lats") is a broad, flat muscle covering the lower and mid back.
The pectorals (pectoralis major) are the large chest muscles.
The biceps (biceps brachii) is the muscle on the front of the upper arm.
The triceps (triceps brachii) is the muscle on the back of the upper arm.
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