Stretching Flashcards
Stetching
- restore or increase the extensibility of the muscle-tendon unit
- regain or achieve the flexibility and ROM required for necessary or desired functional activities
Early vs. later in rehab stretching
Early: manual stretching and joint mobs may be most appropriate
Later: self-stretching and self mob exercises performed independently
If gain in ROM is to become ________, it must be used on a regular basis
permanent
3 types of stretching
- passive
- active
- active assisted
Mechanisms for stretch-induced gains in ROM include:
biomechanical and neural changes
Changes are the result of …
increased muscle extensibility and length or decreased muscle stiffness
Increased ROM following stretching may be the result of a change in an individual’s tolerance of the ________ associated with stretch
sensation
What region is permanent for changes?
Plastic
Deformation (stretch) requires breaking of collagen bonds and realignment of the fibers for there to be ___________
permanent increased flexibility
Deformation begins as _________ of fibrils and fibers before complete failure of tissue occurs
microfailure
Complete tissue failure can occur as a single ________ event or from repetitive _________ stress
- maximal
- submaximal
Remodeling capabilities allow the tissue to respond to ________ and ________ loads if time is allowed between bouts
repetitive
sustained
If remodeling time is not allowed, tissue _______ may occur
failure
During ______, mechanical disruption of the cross-bridges occurs as the filaments slide apart, leading to abrupt _______ of the sarcomeres
stretch
lengthening
When stretch force is released, the individual sarcomeres may return to their _______ length (elasticity)
resting
If longer lasting or more _________ (plastic) length increases are to occur, the stretch force must be maintained over an extended period of time
permanent
What are muscle spindles?
major sensory organ of muscle; sensitive to quick and sustained stretch
-protective component, constantly sensing tension
What happens in the stretch reflex?
when a stretch force is applied, muscle spindles sense the length changes and activate the stretch reflex by increasing tension in the muscle being stretched
When a stretch reflex is activated in a muscle being lengthened, inhibition in the muscle on the _______ side of the joint may occur
opposite
Slowly applied, low-intensity, prolonged stretch is preferable to minimize __________
activation of the stretch reflex
Golgi tendon organ function
is to monitor changes in tension of muscle-tendon units
-sensitive to even slight changes
-
When tension develops, how does the GTO decrease tension in the muscle-tendon unit being stretched (autogenic inhibition)?
the GTO fires and decreases tension in the muscle-tendon unit being stretched, enabling a muscle to be elongated against less muscle tension
If a low-intensity, slow stretch force is applied, the stretch reflex (muscle spindles) is less likely to…?
be activated as the GTO fires and inhibits tension
What does it mean for CT for stretching since it has viscoelastic properties?
the amount of time and the rate at which a stress (load) is applied will affect the behavior of the CT
What is creep?
when a load is applied for an extended period of time, the tissue elongates, and does not return to its original length
Amount of deformation depends on…
amount of force and the rate at which the force is applied
What kind of stretches increase the deformation of CT and allow gradual rearrangement of collagen fiber bonds?
Low load, long duration
Stress-relaxation:
when a force is applied the length of the tissue is kept constant, after the initial creep, there is a _______ in the force required to maintain the length, and then tension in the tissue _________
decrease
decreases
Permanent changes in length is dependent on the __________ the deformation is maintained
amount of deformation (load) and the length of time
Cyclic loading
This principle can be used for stretching by applying repetitive (cyclic) loads at a submaximal level on successive days
A _______ load is required for deformation
minimum
Greater the applied load, the fewer…
number of cycles needed for deformation
Time is allowed between bouts of cycle stretching to allow for _______ and ______ in the new range
remodeling
healing
repetitive tissue leads to increased ____ and increased tissue _________
heat
extensibility
Indications for stretching
- ROM is limited secondary to adhesions, contractures, scar tissue leading to functional limitations
- Restricted ROM may lead to structural deformities which are otherwise preventable
- Muscle weakness and shortening of opposing tissues led to limited ROM
- As component of total fitness program
- Prior to and after vigorous exercise
Contraindications for stretching
- Hard end feel
- Recent fracture in the area
- Acute inflammation or infection in the area
- Hematoma in the area
- Hypermobility in the area
- Shortened tissues enable a patient with paralysis or severe muscle weakness to perform a functional activity
Benefits to stretching
decreased flexibility has been shown to be associated with a greater risk of musculotendinous injuries in the lower extremities
A systematic review indicates acute stretching either has ______ muscle performance immediately following the stretching session
no effect or decrease
Based on a limited number of studies, performing stretching exercises as part of a comprehensive conditioning program on a regular basis over a period of weeks (chronic stretching)…
- increases flexibility
- appears to have beneficial effects on physical performance