Chapter 7

The normal extensibility of all soft tissues that allows the full range of motion of a joint.

Capability to be elongated or stretched.

The combination of flexibility and the nervous system's ability to control this range of motion efficiently.

The ability of the neuromuscular system to allow agonists, antogonists and stabilizers to work synergistically to produce, reduce and dynamically stabilize the entire kinetic chain in all three planes of motion.

predictable patterns of muscle imbalances

the tendency of the body to seek the path of least resistance during functional movement patterns.

Alteration of muscle length surrounding a joint.

The simultaneous contraction of one muscle and the relaxation of its antagonist to allow movement to take place.

The concept of muscle inhibition, caused by a tight agonist, which inhibits it's functional antagonist.

The neuromuscular phenomenon that occurs when inappropriate muscles take over the function of a weak or inhibited prime mover.

The motions of joints in the body.

Altered forces at the joint that result in abnormal muscular activity and impaired neuromuscular communication at the joint.

The process by which neural impulses that sense tension are greater than the impulses that cause muscles to contract, providing an inhibitory effect to the muscle spindles.

consistently repeating the same pattern of motion, which may place abnormal stresses on the body.

states that soft tissue models along the lines of stress.

The process of passively taking a muscle to the point of tension and holding the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds.