Which type of muscle is associated with voluntary movement?

Skeletal muscle is primarily responsible for voluntary movement throughout the body. This type of muscle tissue is under conscious control, meaning that individuals can decide when to contract these muscles, allowing for actions such as walking, running, lifting, or performing any other movements that require deliberate effort. Skeletal muscles are also characterized by their striated appearance, which differentiates them from smooth and cardiac muscle types.

In contrast, smooth muscle is found in the walls of internal organs and is responsible for involuntary movements, such as the contraction of the digestive tract. Cardiac muscle, found exclusively in the heart, also operates involuntarily and is specialized for continuous, rhythmic contractions to pump blood. The term "involuntary muscle" refers to muscles that perform automatically without conscious control, which includes both smooth and cardiac muscle, further reinforcing that skeletal muscle is indeed the type associated with voluntary movement.