Principles Of Stretching

Question 1

Define stretching.

Answer 1

Therapeutic technique used to improve jt. ROM and muscle flexibility by INCREASING the extensibility of the musculotendinous unit and connective tissues

Question 2

What is an indication for stretching?

Answer 2

• decreased jt ROM or decreased muscle flexibility

Question 3

Definition of elasticity

Answer 3

Ability of soft tissue to return to its previous length after a stretch is no longer applied

Question 4

Viscoelasticity

Answer 4

Time-dependent property of soft tissue that results in resistance to stretch when it is initially applied, but allows for tissue elongation as the stretch is held for longer durations. (E.g.—idea of serial casting for spasticity)

tissue will return to previous length after the stretch is no longer applied

Question 5

Plasticity

Answer 5

Property of soft tissue that allows for tissue elongation even affected a stretch is no longer applied

Question 6

What is the stress-strain curve

Answer 6

Graphic representation That depicts relationship b/t the amount of force (stress) applied to connective tissue and the amount of deformation (strain) it experiences

Question 7

What is the Toe region of the stress-strain curve?

Answer 7

Initial stress that results in the wavy collagen fibers becoming straight and aligning with one another

Question 8

What is the elastic region of the stress-strain curve?

Answer 8

• Added stress to the tissues results in greater deformation.
• Returns to resting length if force is not maintained
• Tissues with greater stiffness will have a steeper slope in this portion of the curve

Question 9

What is the plastic region of the stress-strain curve?

Answer 9

The addition of more stress results in PERMANENT deformation even after the stretch force is no longer applied due to the failure of bonds b/t the collagen fibers

Question 10

Creep

Answer 10

Due to the viscoelastic property, soft tissue that is stretched for a sustained duration will elongate and not return to its original length after the load has been removed

*the principle of creep is the basis for stretching

Question 11

Stress-relaxation

Answer 11

The longer a stretching force is maintained, the more the tension within the tissue decreases, therefore less force is required to maintain the same tissue length

Question 12

What is static stretching?

Answer 12

• Involves placing the muscle at its maximal length and holding the position against an external force for a prolonged period
• Leads to less activation fo the muscle spindles (compared to ballistic) and thus less resistance to stretch

Question 13

What is static stretching characterized by?

Answer 13

Low Intensity and long duration

Question 14

What is the safest form of stretching?

Answer 14

Static Stretching

Question 15

What form of stretching results in the greatest gains in tissue extensibility?

Answer 15

Static Stretching

Question 16

How long do you hold Static Stretches?

Answer 16

30 seconds

Question 17

What is ballistic Stretching characterized by?

Answer 17

High intensity; short duration

Question 18

What is ballistic Stretching?

Answer 18

• Quick, jerky movements that result in a rapid change in muscle length.
• Muscle is placed near end-range and then patient bounces back and forth to place repetitive stretch on the muscle
• Activates the muscle spindles and result in greater resistance to stretch; therefore not as great as improving tissue extensibity

Question 19

Which stretch may be more effective for preparing the muscles for athletic activity?

Answer 19

Ballistic—nobody really uses this because the high risk of injury and muscle soreness

Question 20

What is proprioceptive neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching?

Answer 20

• PNF incorporates active muscle contractions into stretching techniques.
• Muscular contraction is thought to lead to muscle relaxation through the principles of autogenic or reciprocal inhibition and results in greater gains in muscle flexibility

Question 21

Why would you use PNF over static stretching ?

Answer 21

Pt has ROM limitations due to muscle spasm as opposed to connective tissue tightness. (PNF is more effective for this)

Question 22

What do common PNF Techniques include?

Answer 22

A. Contract-relax

B. Agonist contraction

C. Contract-relax w/ agonist contraction

Question 23

What is dynamic stretching?

Answer 23

Involves the patient actively moving a body segment to end-range (but not beyond this limit) while the antagonis muscle relaxes and stretches.

End range is held briefly and repeated.

Question 24

When is dynamic stretching most commonly used?

Answer 24

Used as a “warm-up” for athletic activities.

Question 25

When is dynamic stretching more effective?

Answer 25

Effective at preparing the body for explosive movements when compared to static Stretching