Stretch Techniques Flashcards
Define ROM
Amount of mobility of a joint; determined by the soft tissues and body structures in the area.
Define: flexibility
Musculotendinous unit’s ability to elongate with application of a stretch force.
Define “creep” as it applies to tissue elongation.
Tissue elongation when a low level stretch force is applied over time results in permanent change in tissue’s length. Also, increasing tissue temperature increases rate of creep.
Explain the stres-strain curves as they apply to stretching.
All structures have their own stress-strain curve that represents their specific ability to resist deformations forces.
What are the 4 stages of the stress-strain curve??
- Toe region (takes out slack)
- Elastic range (no resistance felt until tissue is at end of elastic limit)
- Plastic range (tissue undergoes permanent elongation)
- Failure range (tissue rupture)
What is the role/function of muscle spindles?
Sensitive to changes in muscle’s length & the velocity/duration of a stretch.
What is the role/function of GTOs?
Sensitive to muscle contraction & force of the contraction.
Define agonist
Muscle on opposite side of joint. Not being stretched.
Define antagonist
Muscle being stretched.
Define autogenic inhibition
Antagonist muscle relaxes following its own contractions. (GTOs)
Define a relax stretch
Passive stretch, utilizing GTOs.
Define autogenic inhibition
Antagonist muscle relaxes following its own contractions. (GTOs)
Define the hold technique
Isometric contraction of muscle being stretched (antagonist), utilizing autogenic inhibition (tendon stretch).
Define the contraction technique
isotonic/concentric contraction of muscle being stretched (antagonist), utilizing autogenic inhibition.
Define the slow-reversal technique
concentric contraction of agonist (opposite muscle), utilizing reciprocal inhibition. (contraction both ways).
What are the effects of immobilization on:
Connective Tissue
Connective tissue is continually replacing and reorganizing, this is a normal body function. It normally shortens during this reorganization. Daily activity can combat this. IF MOTION IS RESTRICTED, RAPID CHANGES IN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF CT OCCUR. Fibrosis increases, normal collagen replacement occurs as a dense network, collagen fibers bind to other structures and limit tissue mobility, the structures becomes weaker, and the end result is loss of ROM. Atrophy and functional loss.
What are the effects of immobilization on:
Muscle tissue
Decrease in:
muscle fiber size, fewer myofibrils, reduced oxidative capacity, and adhesion of muscle to fascia (affects joint ROM).
Normal feed back system of movement is lost, aka “proprioception”.
Decrease in:
ATP, ADP, CP, creatine, glycogen, and mitochondrial production (causes muscle to fatigue quickly & easily).
Increase in:
Lactate production
What are the effects of immobilization on:
Articular cartilage
DEPENDS on the position of immobilization, duration, & whether joint bears weight during immobilization.
Cartilage becomes thinner, less matrix organization, & increase in fibro-fatty tissue in joint cavity that becomes scare tissue.
What are the effects of immobilization on:
Periarticular Connective Tissue
CT becomes thick & fibrotic, increased cross-links & viscosity of fluid in area/joint….Decreased ROM.
What are the effects of Remobilization on:
Connective tissue
Realigns collagen to improve strength.
Prevention of abnormal collagen cross-link formation.
Prevention of an increase of fluid content in the extracellular matrix of CT.
What are the effects of Remobilization on:
Muscle tissue
Fibers recover.
Follow immobilization with:
active motion - 1) causes more rapid absorption of hematoma, 2) increases in tensile strength, 3) improved myofiber regeneration & arrangement.
What are the effects of Remobilization on:
Articular cartilage
Controlled WB/loading may encourage repair of damaged cartilage. Less degeneration occurs if joint motion/WB are allowed on limited basis.
What are the effects of Remobilization on:
Periarticular Connective Tissue
Prevents abnormal cross-link formation & maintains fluid content of extracellular matrix. It will prevent that fatty tissue build up around joint and having to brake that (stretching, joint mobs).
Which stretch theory is described when the antagonist muscle relaxes when the agonist muscle contracts and which special nerve is part of this theory?
Reciprocal Inhibition
Muscle spindle
Which stretch theory is described when the antagonist muscle relaxes following its own contractions and which special nerve is part of this theory?
Autogenic Inhibition
GTOs
Which stretch technique is used to stretch the tendon??
The Hold technique which uses autogenic inhibition.
