HSS 2111 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Stretching, Stretch Reflex, Myofascial Trigger Point

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSS 2111
• Professor: Tien Nguyen

Document Summary

Flexibility: ability of a joint to move freely through its full range of motion (rom) Range of motion (rom): full motion possible in a joint; each joint has a rom that is normally available at that joint. Stretching: to achieve flexibility in a joint, the surrounding muscles must be stretched. Purpose injury prevention and treatment; beneficial to warm-up before stretching. Ligaments unlike stretching muscles and tendons, overstretching ligaments is not desirable. Muscle-tendon unit (mtu) skeletal muscles and tendons that connect them to the bones; stretching to improve flexibility is associated with increased length of the mtu. Hypermobility looseness or slackness in the joint and of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the joint. Stiffness elasticity in the mtu, measured by the force needed to stretch. Stretch tolerance greater stretch for the same pain level (i. e stretch sensation) Trigger points irritable spots, usually tight bands or knots in a muscle or fascia; often refers pain to another area of the body.