HEALTH TIP #24:
Muscles Imbalances

Muscle imbalances are found in an unstable joint of the body (meaning: shoulder, hip, knee, etc.). During a movement, your agonist muscle will have the opposite movement than your antagonist muscle. For example, during flexion of the elbow (bicep curl): your agonist muscle is the bicep (muscle responsible for the movement), your antagonist muscle is the tricep because the tricep does the opposite movement of the bicep.

 

There is a ratio between strength of each agonist/antagonist muscle pair. For example the strength of your hamstrings should be between 60-80% of the strength of your quadriceps. Anything more or less than this percentage will create postural changes in the joint. The more this ratio is off, the higher your risk of injury will be.

 

If you exercise regularly or plan to start exercising, it is important to make sure that your exercises are balanced in order to prevent any injury. Here are a few tips on how to balance your exercises during your workouts:

1. When working on your biceps, don't forget about your triceps
2. If you work you pectoral muscles, make sure to work your upper back muscles as well (mid traps and rhomboids)
3. When working your hamstrings, also work your gluteal and quadriceps muscles
4. If you do a lot of abdominal exercises, make sure that you also work you lower back muscles.

 Take care of your health, you're worth it!

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