Muscle Length/Flexibility Flashcards
(21 cards)
Clinically muscle length is measured _____________ by determining the max passive ROM of joints across a muscle
indirectly
muscle length refers to…
elongation or lengthening of the muscle to permit full joint ROM
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
less than
static muscle length
defined as passive ROM available to a joint or series of joints
static muscle length/flexibility is measured using…
goniometry
decreased static flexibility indicates:
a loss of motion
Dynamic flexibility is defined as
the degree to which the force of a muscle contraction can move a joint
stiffness
a mechanical term defined as resistance of a structure to deformation
what can increase stiffness?
strength training and immobilization
Tightness is
a mild decrease in the length of the muscle after sitting for short periods of time or following exercise
what is adaptive shortening?
a loss in flexibility that develops in muscles that are maintained in a shortened position
a contracture is…
marked decrease in the length of the muscle leading to a significant loss of ROM
(requires a long period of limited joint motion)
sedentary living/inactivity relates to flexibility/muscle length by
reducing size and number of collagen fibers
corticosteroid use causes
a decrease in collagen fiber tensile strength
T/F females are generally more flexible than males
true
temperature and muscle length
- temperature increases, CT becomes more pliable, allows for more elongation
optimal temperature for muscle elongation
102-110 degrees F
indications for muscle length tests
- loss of ROM or flexibility
- soft tissue injury, overuse injury or disease
contraindications for muscle length tests
- acute soft tissue or joint injury
- acute neurological trauma
Passive insufficiency
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
protocol for assessing muscle length
- 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
