How do skeletal muscles primarily work together?

Skeletal muscles primarily function in pairs, where one muscle acts as the prime mover, facilitating the primary action, while the opposing muscle is known as the antagonist, which relaxes and provides balance to the movement. This synergistic relationship ensures smooth and coordinated motion. For example, during arm flexion at the elbow, the biceps brachii acts as the prime mover, while the triceps brachii serves as the antagonist, allowing for controlled extension and flexion.

This method of working in pairs is essential for maintaining posture, controlling movements, and providing stability in various activities, such as walking, running, and lifting. Such coordination allows for the effective control of motion and can help prevent injury by ensuring that opposing forces are balanced. Other arrangements, such as isolated movements or random muscle actions, do not accurately reflect how skeletal muscles are designed to work in conjunction to produce effective biomechanical movement.