Flexibility Flashcards
Muscle spindle - associated reflex
Stretch reflex
Muscle spindle - Location
Within the muscle belly and aligned with muscle fibres
Muscle spindle - purpose/function
Detect stretching of muscle and the speed/rate of stretch
Golgi tendon organ - associated reflex
Inverse stretch reflex
Golgi tendon organ - location
Within the muscle tendon junction and lies in a series with muscle fibres
Golgi tendon organ - purpose/function
Detect tension within the tendon and muscle
Stretch reflex stage 1
detection - detects muscle fibres are being stretched at a speed and intensity which may result in damage to muscle structure
Stretch reflex stage 2
Sensory info sent - Sensory nerves deliver this information to the spinal cord
Stretch reflex stage 3
Reaction - reflex action occurs - the motor nerves instruct the muscle to contract in order to minimise damage
Stretch reflex stage 4
result - muscle shortens
Inverse stretch reflex (GTO) stage 1
Detection - detects the tension in the tendon may result in damage to the muscle structure
Inverse stretch reflex (GTO) stage 2
Sensory info sent - Sensory nerves deliver this information to the spinal cord
Inverse stretch reflex (GTO) stage 3
Reaction - reflex action occurs - motor nerves instruct the muscle to relax in order to minimise damage
Inverse stretch reflex (GTO) stage 4
Result - muscle lengthens
Environmental influences on ROM 1
Temperature - warmer temperature may result in increased flexibility, colder can result in decreased flexibility
Environmental influences on ROM 2
Time of day - Flexibility is likely to vary depending on time of day tends to be lowest in the morning, research suggests flexibility peaks from about 1430-1600
Environmental influences on ROM 3
Clothing - tight or heavy clothing can restrict the ROM allowed
Physiological Influences on ROM 1
Type of joint - some joints aren’t particularly flexible (cartilaginous), hinge joints can only do flexion and extension
Physiological Influences on ROM 2
Elasticity of bone tissue - Scar tissue after an injury is often less flexible than normal muscle tissue
Physiological Influences on ROM 3
Bony contact - The shape of a bone can limit ROM (elbow/knee)
Physiological Influences on ROM 4
Elasticity of tendons/ligaments - Very limited ability to stretch which will restrict the ROM at the joint
