Massage & Bodywork Licensing Practice Examination (MBLEx)

The term synonymous with "prime mover" is "agonist." In the context of muscle action, the agonist refers to the muscle or group of muscles that are primarily responsible for producing a specific movement by contracting. When a muscle acts as the prime mover, it is the one that generates the most force for a given action, effectively initiating and controlling it.

For instance, during elbow flexion, the biceps brachii acts as the agonist, causing the forearm to move toward the shoulder. Understanding this concept is crucial for recognizing how different muscles function together during various movements and for designing effective massage or therapeutic interventions. The other terms, such as fixators, antagonists, and synergists, refer to supporting roles in muscle function rather than being the primary muscle responsible for the action.