Postural and phasic muscles

< Postural Analysis

Postural Muscles Phasic Muscles

Vladamir Janda discovered that muscles can be Shoulder Girdle - Arm
categorized as either postural, phasic, or a
mixture of the two. Pectoral Muscles
Levator Scapulae Trapezius (middle)
Trapezius (upper) Trapezius (lower)
Postural muscles act predominantly to sustain Biceps Brachii Serratus Anterior
your posture in the gravity field. These muscles Scalenes Triceps Brachii
contain mostly slow-twitch muscle fibres and have Subscapularis Deep Cervical Flexors
a greater capacity for sustained work. They are Sternocleidomastoid Supraspinatus
prone to hyperactivity. Suboccipitals Infraspinatus
Masseter Deltoid
Phasic muscles contain mostly fast-twitch muscle Temporalis Wrist & Finger Extensors
fibres, and are therefore more suited to Wrist & Finger Flexors
movement. They are prone to inhibition. They are Trunk
also more easily fatiguable.
Lumbar Erector Spinae Thoracic Erector Spinae
Cervical Erector Spinae Rectus Abdominis
Postural muscles tend to shorten in response to Quadratus Lumborum Transversus Abdominus
over-use, under-use or trauma, whereas phasic
Pelvis - Thigh
muscles tend to lengthen and weaken in response
to these types of stimuli. These effects can lead to Hamstrings
musculo-skeletal imbalance and joint instability Iliopsoas
Vastus Lateralis
when postural and phasic muscles are located on Rectus Femoris
Vastus Medialis
opposing sides of the agonist-antagonist Adductors
Gluteal Muscles
relationship. Piriformis
Tensor Fasciae Latae
These relationships are the key to understanding Lower Leg - Foot
common patterns of postural imbalance such as Tibialis Anterior
the upper-crossed and lower-crossed syndromes. Gastrocnemius
Peroneals
Soleus
Toe Extensors