Muscles used in Butterfly
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/5/4/19542703/324115.jpg)
Arm Movement:
Undulatory Movement and Stabilization:
- arms move in unison
- pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi -- primary movers during propulsion phase
- wrist flexors (flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus) -- maintain wrist in a neutral to slightly flexed position
- biceps brachii and brachialis -- elbow flexion
- triceps brachii -- more forceful elbow extension at end of stroke than in freestyle
- rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) and deltoid -- recovery phase
Undulatory Movement and Stabilization:
- paraspinal muscles and contraction of the abdominal muscles help with the undulating motion characteristic of butterfly
- shoulder (pectoralis minor, rhomboid, levator scapula, middle and lower trapezius, and serratus anterior)
- core (transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae)
- dolphin kick, legs move in unison
- iliopsoas and rectus femoris -- hip flexors
- rectus femoris and quadriceps (vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis) -- knee extension
- gluteal muscles (primarily gluteus maximus and gluteus medius) -- contract to initiate upbeat of kick
- hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus) -- hip extensors
- gastrocnemius and soleus --plantar flexors
Image Source: http://www.110pounds.com/?tag=swimming-for-weight-loss
Information Source: McLeod, I. (2010). Swimming Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Information Source: McLeod, I. (2010). Swimming Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.