Muscle Length/Flexibility

Question 1

Clinically muscle length is measured _____________ by determining the max passive ROM of joints across a muscle

Answer 1

indirectly

Question 2

muscle length refers to…

Answer 2

elongation or lengthening of the muscle to permit full joint ROM

Question 3

for muscles that pass over 2 or more joints the typical amount of muscle length or elongations will be _______ than total ROM of the joints over which muscle passes

Answer 3

less than

Question 4

static muscle length

Answer 4

defined as passive ROM available to a joint or series of joints

Question 5

static muscle length/flexibility is measured using…

Answer 5

goniometry

Question 6

decreased static flexibility indicates:

Answer 6

a loss of motion

Question 7

Dynamic flexibility is defined as

Answer 7

the degree to which the force of a muscle contraction can move a joint

Question 8

stiffness

Answer 8

a mechanical term defined as resistance of a structure to deformation

Question 9

what can increase stiffness?

Answer 9

strength training and immobilization

Question 10

Tightness is

Answer 10

a mild decrease in the length of the muscle after sitting for short periods of time or following exercise

Question 11

what is adaptive shortening?

Answer 11

a loss in flexibility that develops in muscles that are maintained in a shortened position

Question 12

a contracture is…

Answer 12

marked decrease in the length of the muscle leading to a significant loss of ROM

(requires a long period of limited joint motion)

Question 13

sedentary living/inactivity relates to flexibility/muscle length by

Answer 13

reducing size and number of collagen fibers

Question 14

corticosteroid use causes

Answer 14

a decrease in collagen fiber tensile strength

Question 15

T/F females are generally more flexible than males

Answer 15

true

Question 16

temperature and muscle length

Answer 16

• temperature increases, CT becomes more pliable, allows for more elongation

Question 17

optimal temperature for muscle elongation

Answer 17

102-110 degrees F

Question 18

indications for muscle length tests

Answer 18

• loss of ROM or flexibility

- soft tissue injury, overuse injury or disease

Question 19

contraindications for muscle length tests

Answer 19

• acute soft tissue or joint injury

- acute neurological trauma

Question 20

Passive insufficiency

Answer 20

when the length of an antagonistic muscle is NOT sufficient to allow the agonist to move the joint or joints through full ROM, even with a max contraction of the agonist

Question 21

protocol for assessing muscle length

Answer 21

• patient is placed in correct test position
• physical therapist must determine if the assessment will be performed passively or actively
• muscle being assessed is placed in fully elongated position
• examiner should be most concerned with final elongated position of the muscle
• palpate bony landmarks used to align goniometer then ensure it is properly aligned
• motion should not be blocked by support surface or pillow