I was recently reading some stuff on muscle imbalance-I know,I must get out
more!-and I came across the claim that a muscle has a normal resting
length.It was further claimed that if a postural muscle remains in an
elongated position,beyond its normal resting position,but within its normal
range,it will lose its inner range holding capacity but test strong in its
lengthened position.Rehabilitation therefore involves building up a
muscle's ability to hold an inner-range contraction.
I invite any comments/clarification on these ideas.In particular,what is
meant by normal resting length-surely muscles will be at a variety of
lengths as activities and body positions change?These concepts seem to be
based on experiments where muscles were immobilised in a lengthened
position -this is surely different to muscles being habitually held in a
lengthened position eg lower traps in protracted shoulder girdle,but which
might occasionally be shortened in certain activities.
I look forward to some pearls of wisdom from list members-I might then be
able to have a social life!
Nigel Biggs,
Physiotherapist,UK
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