Stretch Techniques

Question 0

Define ROM

Answer 0

Amount of mobility of a joint; determined by the soft tissues and body structures in the area.

Question 1

Define: flexibility

Answer 1

Musculotendinous unit’s ability to elongate with application of a stretch force.

Question 2

Define “creep” as it applies to tissue elongation.

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Explain the stres-strain curves as they apply to stretching.

Answer 3

All structures have their own stress-strain curve that represents their specific ability to resist deformations forces.

Question 4

What are the 4 stages of the stress-strain curve??

Answer 4

1. Toe region (takes out slack)
2. Elastic range (no resistance felt until tissue is at end of elastic limit)
3. Plastic range (tissue undergoes permanent elongation)
4. Failure range (tissue rupture)

Question 5

What is the role/function of muscle spindles?

Answer 5

Sensitive to changes in muscle’s length & the velocity/duration of a stretch.

Question 6

What is the role/function of GTOs?

Answer 6

Sensitive to muscle contraction & force of the contraction.

Question 7

Define agonist

Answer 7

Muscle on opposite side of joint. Not being stretched.

Question 8

Define antagonist

Answer 8

Muscle being stretched.

Question 9

Define autogenic inhibition

Answer 9

Antagonist muscle relaxes following its own contractions. (GTOs)

Question 10

Define a relax stretch

Answer 10

Passive stretch, utilizing GTOs.

Question 11

Define autogenic inhibition

Answer 11

Antagonist muscle relaxes following its own contractions. (GTOs)

Question 12

Define the hold technique

Answer 12

Isometric contraction of muscle being stretched (antagonist), utilizing autogenic inhibition (tendon stretch).

Question 13

Define the contraction technique

Answer 13

isotonic/concentric contraction of muscle being stretched (antagonist), utilizing autogenic inhibition.

Question 14

Define the slow-reversal technique

Answer 14

concentric contraction of agonist (opposite muscle), utilizing reciprocal inhibition. (contraction both ways).

Question 15

What are the effects of immobilization on:

Connective Tissue

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What are the effects of immobilization on:

Muscle tissue

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What are the effects of immobilization on:

Articular cartilage

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

What are the effects of immobilization on:

Periarticular Connective Tissue

Answer 18

CT becomes thick & fibrotic, increased cross-links & viscosity of fluid in area/joint….Decreased ROM.

Question 19

What are the effects of Remobilization on:

Connective tissue

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What are the effects of Remobilization on:

Muscle tissue

Answer 20

Fibers recover.
Follow immobilization with:
active motion - 1) causes more rapid absorption of hematoma, 2) increases in tensile strength, 3) improved myofiber regeneration & arrangement.

Question 21

What are the effects of Remobilization on:

Articular cartilage

Answer 21

Controlled WB/loading may encourage repair of damaged cartilage. Less degeneration occurs if joint motion/WB are allowed on limited basis.

Question 22

What are the effects of Remobilization on:

Periarticular Connective Tissue

Answer 22

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).

Question 23

Which stretch theory is described when the antagonist muscle relaxes when the agonist muscle contracts and which special nerve is part of this theory?

Answer 23

Reciprocal Inhibition

Muscle spindle

Question 24

Which stretch theory is described when the antagonist muscle relaxes following its own contractions and which special nerve is part of this theory?

Answer 24

Autogenic Inhibition

GTOs

Question 25

Which stretch technique is used to stretch the tendon??

Answer 25

The Hold technique which uses autogenic inhibition.