Chapter 4: Flexibility Training Concepts Flashcards
Flexibility
The normal extensibility of all soft tissues that allow full range of motion of a joint and optimum neuromuscular efficiency throughout all functional movements.
Cumulative injury
cycle
A cycle whereby an “injury” will induce inflammation, muscle spasm, adhesions, altered neuromuscular control, and muscle imbalances.
Altered reciprocal
inhibition
The concept of muscle inhibition caused by a tight agonist, decreasing the neural drive of its functional antagonist.
Synergistic
dominance
The neuromuscular phenomenon that occurs when synergists take over the function of a weak or inhibited prime mover.
Arthrokinetic
dysfunction
The biomechanical dysfunction in two articular partners that lead to abnormal joint movement (arthrokinematics) and proprioception.
All-or-none principle
When a muscle fiber is stimulated to contract, the entire fiber contracts completely.
Endomysium
The innermost fascial layer that encases individual muscle fibers.
Perimysium
The sheath that binds groups of muscle fibers into fasciculi.
Epimysium
The outermost layer of a muscle fiber.
Atrophy
The loss in muscle fiber size.
Sarcopenia
A decrease in muscle fiber numbers.
Integrated Flexibility Continuum
The full range of flexibility—corrective, active, and functional flexibility—that must be addressed to counteract muscle atrophy and other physical changes due to aging, immobilization,
or injury.
Elasticity
The spring-like behavior of connective tissue that enables the tissue to return to its original shape or size when forces are removed.
Elastic limit
The smallest value of stress required to produce permanent strain in the tissue.
Plasticity
The residual or permanent change in connective tissue length due to tissue elongation.