Muscle Tightening

Question 1

Active muscle tightening

Answer 1

-Internal muscle activation to generate force
-produces joint movement or stabilisation

Question 2

Isometric muscle tightening

Answer 2

Tension without joint movement (e.g holding a plank)

Question 3

Concentric muscle tightening

Answer 3

Muscle shortens while contracting (e.g lifting a weight)

Question 4

Eccentric muscle tightening

Answer 4

Muscle lengthens while controlling motion (e.g lowering a weight)

Question 5

Passive muscle tightening

Answer 5

State of increased muscle tone or reduced flexibility when the muscle is not actively contracting.

Question 6

Causes of passive muscle tightening

Answer 6

-Prolonged immobility or poor posture
- muscle overuse or repetitive strain
-neurological conditions (e.g spasticity in stroke or cerebral palsy)
-scar tissue or fascial restriction

Question 7

Consequences of muscle tightening

Answer 7

-Reduced range of motion
-altered movement patterns
-increased joint stress
-impaired performance
-pain and dysfunction

Question 8

Assessment of muscle tightening

Answer 8

-Goniometry (measuring joint angles)
-manual muscle testing
-palpation and muscle length tests (e.g Thomas test for hip flexors)

Question 9

Management of muscle tightening

Answer 9

-Stretching (dynamic and static)
-Soft tissue mobilisation (massage, myofascial release)
-strengthening antagonist muscles
-neuromuscular re-education (mainly of related to spasticity or poor motor control)
-heat and therapeutic modalities (to relax tight tissue).