Unit 3 Test Prep Handouts Chapters 7, 8, and 9

Question 1

Flexibility

Answer 1

The normal extensibility of all soft tissues
that allows the full range of motion of a
joint
• Improve range of motion
• Poor flexibility can be due to repetitive
motion, injury, and daily functioning (ex:
sitting at a desk)

Question 2

Relative Flexibility

Answer 2

The tendency of the body to seek the path
of least resistance during functional
movement patterns
• Not a good thing
• Not the way the joint was intended to move
• Leads to muscle imbalances

Question 3

Reciprocal Inhibition

Answer 3

One muscle contracts another on the other side
being lengthened
• Example arm curl bicep tightens and the triceps
has to lengthen to allow the motion
• Altered Reciprocal Inhibition
– The concept of muscle inhibition, caused by a tight
agonist, which inhibits its functional antagonist.
– Not a good thing
– Overactive hip flexors will inhibit the gluteus maximus, so your body will recruit other muscle to complete the
motion like the piriformis and will become overused.

Question 4

Integrated Flexibility Continuum 3 parts chart

Answer 4

corrective flexibility - SMR static stretching
active flexibility - SMR active isolated stretching
functional flexibility- SMR and dynamic stretching

Question 5

Flexibility Continuum 3 parts

Answer 5

Corrective Flexibility
– Self-myofascial release
– Static stretch
– Designed to correct muscle imbalances
– Level 1
– Once imbalances are improved and muscles the correct length can move
on to next stage
• Active Flexibility
– Self-myofascial release
– Active isolated stretching
– Take new length and use it in a full range of motion
• Functional Flexibility
– Self-myofascial release
– Dynamic stretching
– Establish flexibility at higher and more realistic speeds