Skeletal muscles are consciously controlled (voluntary) and are attached to bones. When the CNS sends a message from the brain to the relevant muscle to contract, it results in "pulling the bone" causing movement to occur. This enables the human body to respond quickly to changes in the external environment.
Maintain essential bodily functions
Muscles which we have little or no conscious control over are regarded as involuntary muscles. These muscles are responsible for maintaining the body's ongoing needs, including the smooth muscle of hollow organs and the cardiac muscle of the heart and blood vessels.
Maintain posture
Through the continuous contraction of muscles, making one tiny adjustment after another, the human body is able to maintain posture, despite the never-ending downward pull of gravity.
Stabilise joints
Skeletal muscles serve to stabilise the joints of the skeleton. The tendons of many muscles extend over joints and in this way contribute to joint stability, particularly in the knee and shoulder joints.
Generate heat
Heat is a by-product of muscular activity. As ATP is used to power muscle contraction, nearly 3/4 of its energy is released as heat, which is critical in maintaining normal body temperature.
