Stretching

Question 1

what is stretching?

Answer 1

designed to increase mobility

elongating structures that have adaptively shortened and become hypomobile over time

Question 2

what is dynamic flexibility?

Answer 2

active mobility or AROM

Question 3

what is passive flexibility?

Answer 3

PROM

Question 4

what is hypomobility?

Answer 4

restricted motion/decreased mobility

Question 5

what is the difference b/w a contraction and a contracture?

Answer 5

a contraction is voluntary movement of muscles

a contracture is the muscles stuck in a contracted position and was not actively put there

Question 6

what are extrinsic factors of immobilization?

Answer 6

casts, braces, etc.

Question 7

what are intrinsic factors of immobilization?

Answer 7

arthritis, inflammation, tone, lymphadema, neuro disorders, skin disorders, scarring, vascular disorders, scoliosis, increased kyphosis, etc.

Question 8

what is selective stretching?

Answer 8

not stretching everything that’s tight bc it may decrease functionality of the shortened muscles (tightness may help functionality)

common in neuro disorders

Question 9

why would a PT use overstretching and hypermobility?

Answer 9

some athletes

usually don’t want to get patients into hypermobility

Question 10

what are some interventions to increase mobility of soft tissues?

Answer 10

manual/mechanical stretching

passive stretching

assisted stretching (patient assitance)

self-stretching (ultimate goal)

neuromuscular facilitation and inhibition techniques

muscle energy techniques (patient contracts muscle and PT give opposite force)

joint mobilization/manipulation (myofascial release, acupressure, trigger point therapy, friction massage)

soft tissue mobilization/manipulation

neural tissue mobilization (neuromeningeal mobilization)

PNF b4 or during stretch

Question 11

what are the indications for stretching exercises?

Answer 11

adhesions, contractures, scar tissue limited ROM

potential for structural deformity

muscle weakness

part of total fitness program

pre and post vigorous exercise (static stretching not recommended b4 activity, but dynamic stretching is)

Question 12

what are the contraindications for stretching?

Answer 12

bony block

non-union fracture

acute inflammation/infection

sharp/acute pain w/elongation

hematoma or tissue trauma

hypermobility

hypomobility provides stability/neuromuscular control

Question 13

benefits of stretching

Answer 13

Increased flexibility and ROM

general fitness

Injury prevention, reduced post exercise soreness, enhanced performance

Question 14

response to immobilization/mobilization

Answer 14

morphological changes

immobilization in a shortened position=longer to recover these tissues

immobilized in a lengthened position=faster to recover these tissues

Question 15

what are the impacts of immobilization on sarcomeres?

Answer 15

actin and myosin negatively impacted

muscle fiber diameter shrinks

myofibril number decreases

blood flow to muscle decreases

Question 16

how long does it take for atrophy to set in?

Answer 16

As little as two days of immobilization

Question 17

muscle spindle

Answer 17

sensory organ w/in muscle that detects and convey info about muscle length change and speed of change

facilitates muscle contraction

Question 18

golgi tendon organ (GTO)

Answer 18

w/in myotendinous junction

conveys info about the impact of length changes in muscle and tendon tissues

inhibits muscle contraction (relaxation)

Question 19

range of stress strain curve in PROM

Answer 19

elastic region

Question 20

range of stress strain curve for stretch

Answer 20

plastic region

Question 21

where does injury occur in the stress strain curve?

Answer 21

at the failure point

Question 22

what are the determinants of stretching?

Answer 22

alignment and stabilization

intensity of stretch

duration of stretch

speed of stretch

frequency of stretch

Question 23

what is static stretching?

Answer 23

long duration stretching

Question 24

what is cyclic (intermittent) stretching?

Answer 24

fast bursts of stretching

Question 25

what is ballistic stretching?

Answer 25

rapid, forceful intermittent fast stretching

high speed, high intensity

quick bouncing movements that create momentum to carry the body segment through the ROM to stretch shortened structures

Question 26

what are the 3 modes of stretching?

Answer 26

manual stretching

self-stretching

mechanical stretching

Question 27

types of PNF stretching

Answer 27

hold relax (HR): autogenic inhibition

contract relax (CR): reciprocal inhibition

Question 28

procedural guidelines for application of stretching intervention

Answer 28

exam and evaluation

preparation for stretching (heat)

application of manual stretching procedures

after stretch procedures (may use ice)

Question 29

what are some common errors of stretching?

Answer 29

nonselective/poorly balanced stretching Activities

insufficient warm-up

ineffective stabilization

use of ballistic stretching

excessive intensity

abnormal biomechanics

insufficient info about age-related differences

Question 30

what is relaxation training?

Answer 30

visualization, deep breathing, etc

awareness through movement

autogenic training

Question 31

what are some adjuncts to stretching interventions?

Answer 31

relaxation training, pilates, heat, cold, massage, biofeedback, Joint traction/isolation