What is a primary function of the erector spinae muscles?

What is a primary function of the erector spinae muscles?

• A. Protract the scapula
• B. Bring body back to neutral after flexion
• C. Flex the trunk
• D. Compress the abdomen

Answer: (B)

The erector spinae act as the back’s extension team: they run along the spine and straighten the trunk, helping you stay upright and return from a forward bend to neutral. So their primary function is to bring the body back to neutral after flexion. They don’t protract the scapula (that’s a shoulder girdle action), they don’t flex the trunk (that's mainly the abdominal muscles), and they don’t primarily compress the abdomen.

The erector spinae act as the back’s extension team: they run along the spine and straighten the trunk, helping you stay upright and return from a forward bend to neutral. So their primary function is to bring the body back to neutral after flexion. They don’t protract the scapula (that’s a shoulder girdle action), they don’t flex the trunk (that's mainly the abdominal muscles), and they don’t primarily compress the abdomen.