| Active Assistance | An assist to stretch from an active contraction of the opposing (antagonist) muscle.
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| Agonist muscle | Refers to the muscle group being stretched.
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| Antagonist Muscles | In this concept antagonist refers to the muscle group on the opposite side of the limb from the muscle group being stretched (e.g., biceps is antagonist of triceps).
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| Ballistic Stretch | Muscles are stretched by the force of momentum of a body part that is bounced, swung, or jerked.
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| Hypermobility | Looseness or slackness in the joint and of the muscles and ligaments (soft tissue) surrounding a joint.
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| Laxity | Motion in a joint outside the normal plane for that joint, due to loose ligaments.
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| Ligaments | Bands of tissue that connect bones. Unlike muscles and tendons, overstretching ligaments is not desirable.
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| Muscle-Tendon Unit (MTU) | The skeletal muscles and the tendons that connect them to bones. Stretching to improve flexibility is associated with increased length of the MTU.
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| PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) Exercises | A type of static stretch most commonly characterized by a precontraction of the muscle to be stretched and a contraction of the antagonist muscle during the stretch.
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| Passive Assistance | Stretch imposed on a muscle with the assistance of a force other than the opposing muscle
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| Range of Motion (ROM) | The full motion possible in a joint or series of joints.
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| Range of Motion (ROM) Exercise | Exercises used to maintain existing joint mobility (to prevent loss of ROM).
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| Reciprocal Inhibition | Reflex relaxation in stretched muscle during the contraction of the antagonist.
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| Static Stretch | A muscle is slowly stretched, then held in that stretched position for several seconds.
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| Stiffness | Elasticity in the MTU; measured by force needed to stretch.
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| Stretch Tolerance | Greater stretch for the same pain level.
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| Tendons | Fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones and facilitates movement of a joint.
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| Trigger Point | Especially irritable spots, usually tight bands or knots in a muscle or fascia (a sheath of connective tissue that binds muscles and other tissues together). Trigger points often refers pain to another area of the body.
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