Logan Steele
Muscle growth, or hypertrophy, is an increase in muscle weight without an increase in the number of muscle fibres. Muscle growth is supported by performing certain exercises, eating certain foods, taking supplements, and having certain biological traits. Inhibitors of muscle growth include inactivity, disease, and the protein myostatin. Myostatin is a myokine that acts on muscle cells to inhibit muscle growth, and it has been found that inhibiting myostatin increases muscle mass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the human body | More than 600 |
| Muscle composition | Thousands of small fibers woven together |
| Muscle function | Help the body move, hold the body still, support organs, and keep the body alive |
| Types of muscles | Skeletal, cardiac, smooth |
| Muscle injuries | Muscle strains, fibromyalgia, myopathies, myositis, polymyositis, infections, ALS |
| Muscle techniques | Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR), Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS) |
| Muscle inhibition types | Autogenic, Reciprocal, Arthrogenic |
| Muscle inhibition causes | Overuse, danger messages from the body to the spinal cord, injury |
| Muscle inhibition treatment | Virtual reality, pressure biofeedback, spinal surgery, hip replacements |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
MET is an active technique that requires participation from the patient, as opposed to static stretching, where the therapist does all the work. It is based on the concepts of Autogenic Inhibition and Reciprocal Inhibition, which occur when certain muscles are prevented from contracting due to the activation of the Golgi tendon organ (GTO) and muscle spindles. These musculotendinous proprioceptors are located in and around the joints and muscles, responding to changes in muscle tension and length, thus managing muscular control and coordination.
Autogenic Inhibition MET involves a sub-maximal contraction of a muscle followed by stretching of the same muscle. The GTO, situated between the muscle belly and its tendon, senses increased tension during muscle contraction or stretching. When the GTO is activated, it inhibits the contraction and allows the opposing muscle group to contract more readily, making it possible to stretch the muscle further and easier. This process increases flexibility and is often observed during static stretching.
Reciprocal Inhibition MET, on the other hand, involves a sub-maximal contraction of a muscle followed by stretching of the opposite muscle. When a muscle spindle is stretched, the stretch reflex is activated, and the opposing muscle group must be inhibited to prevent it from working against the contraction of the homonymous muscle. This inhibition is achieved through an inhibitor interneuron in the spinal cord, preventing both groups of muscles from contracting simultaneously and working against each other. Reciprocal inhibition facilitates ease of movement and acts as a safeguard against injury, particularly during physical activities such as running.
MET techniques that utilise reflexive antagonism, such as rapid deafferentation techniques, are employed in medical guidelines to address inflammation, pain, and protective spasms in entire muscle groups or singular muscles and soft tissue structures. These techniques are based on the concept of reciprocal inhibition, which, while incomplete, remains clinically useful in physical therapy.
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Autogenic Inhibition
When a muscle contracts, the GTO is activated and responds by inhibiting this contraction and contracting the opposing muscle group. This process is known as autogenic inhibition and is often observed during static stretching. After 7 to 10 seconds of muscle tension, the GTO is activated, causing the muscle spindle in the stretched muscle to be inhibited temporarily, allowing the muscle to be stretched further.
Techniques that incorporate autogenic inhibition include PNF agonist-antagonist stretching, which includes an agonist contraction that is hypothesised to initiate autogenic inhibition. Release techniques like foam rolling and ischemic compression (static manual release techniques) are also hypothesised to stimulate autogenic inhibition.
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Reciprocal Inhibition
The muscle spindle is located within the muscle belly and stretches along with the muscle itself. When this occurs, the muscle spindle is activated and causes a reflexive contraction in the agonist muscle (known as the stretch reflex) and relaxation in the antagonist muscle. This process is known as reciprocal inhibition.
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Muscle Strains
When a muscle is strained, the individual may experience pain and reduced muscle function. Muscle inhibition, a condition not always recognised by modern medicine, refers to the decreased activation of muscles following an injury. This can lead to further injuries and decreased performance as the muscles are not functioning optimally.
To address muscle inhibition, it is important to identify and address the underlying cause. For example, in the case of a pulled muscle, allowing adequate time for rest and recovery is crucial. Additionally, physical therapy techniques, such as Muscle Energy Technique (MET), can be utilised. MET uses a muscle's own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax and lengthen the muscle, aiding in recovery.
Furthermore, maintaining muscle strength is essential in preventing and managing muscle strains. This can be achieved through appropriate exercise and training routines that focus on strengthening the muscles and improving their endurance. It is also important to be mindful of not overworking the muscles, as this can lead to overuse injuries and strains.
Overall, understanding and managing muscle strains involve recognising the underlying causes, allowing for proper rest and recovery, utilising appropriate physical therapy techniques, and focusing on muscle strengthening and endurance training to prevent future injuries.
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Muscle Inhibition
There are two types of muscle inhibition: Autogenic Inhibition and Reciprocal Inhibition. Autogenic inhibition occurs when certain muscles are inhibited from contracting due to the activation of the Golgi tendon organ (GTO) and the muscle spindles. The GTO, located between the muscle belly and its tendon, senses increased tension when the muscle contracts or stretches. When the muscle contracts, the GTO is activated and responds by inhibiting this contraction (reflex inhibition) and contracting the opposing (antagonist) muscle group. This allows the muscle to be stretched further and easier.
Reciprocal inhibition is a general phenomenon in which the stretch of one muscle inhibits the activity of the opposing muscle. It is a safeguard against injury and facilitates ease of movement. For example, when the triceps brachii is stimulated, the biceps is reflexively inhibited. Reciprocal inhibition is not restricted to the biceps and triceps of the human arm but can be demonstrated in other parts of the body, such as the elbow.
Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) is a specific type of muscle inhibition that occurs as a natural response to protect an injured joint from further damage. AMI has been studied in the context of various conditions, including osteoarthritis, knee pain, and anterior cruciate ligament repair.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscles are what allow us to move. They also help the body perform other functions like chewing food, moving it through the digestive system, and helping the heart beat. There are three types of muscles: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, meaning you control how and when they move and work. Cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary.
Reciprocal inhibition is a muscle energy technique that uses reflexive antagonism as a means of switching off inflammation, pain, and protective spasms for entire synergistic muscle groups or singular muscles and soft tissue structures. This occurs when certain muscles are inhibited from contracting due to the activation of the Golgi tendon organ (GTO) and the muscle spindles.
Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) is the presynaptic, ongoing reflex inhibition of the musculature surrounding the injured joint. It is a natural response generated by the human body to protect the joint from further damage.
Muscle strains (pulled muscles) are the most common muscle injury. They happen when you overuse a muscle, causing the strands of muscle fiber to stretch beyond their limit and tear apart. Other common injuries include muscle spasms (cramps) and skin discoloration.
It’s important to keep your skeletal muscles as strong and healthy as possible. Talk to your healthcare provider about exercises, movements, or physical activities that’ll keep your muscles strong, safe, and healthy. Many athletes use muscle energy techniques as a preventative measure to guard against future injury.
