Neurophysiologic Background for Therapeutic Exercises

What is the physiological characteristic that determines the amount of stimulation required to initiate the response of a muscle fiber?

Irritability of the motor unit

What is the main goal of therapeutic exercises?

Increasing cardiopulmonary fitness

What is the term used to describe the mechanical response of a muscle after depolarization?

Contractility

What happens if the stimulus to a muscle fiber is below the threshold level?

No muscle activity occurs Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the normal responses of muscles during therapeutic exercises?

To recognize alterations in therapeutic exercises for injury rehabilitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of strength in the main goals of therapeutic exercises?

Maintaining stability Signup and view all the answers

What is the general rule of viscosity applied to muscle activity?

The faster the rate of muscle contraction, the greater the internal resistance and the less the external force that can be exerted by the muscle. Signup and view all the answers

According to Hooke's law, what happens when stress is applied to stretch a muscle's fibers?

The strain produced is proportional to the stress applied as long as the elasticity limit is not exceeded. Signup and view all the answers

What is tissue stiffness?

The resistance of tissue or a structure to deformation or change in shape or length. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a muscle during contracture?

There is a failure of relaxation, leading to shortening of resting length. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for the importance of stretching after exercise?

To prevent contracture and ensure muscle relaxation. Signup and view all the answers

What can cause fatigue in muscles?

Exhaustion of a muscle with prolonged activity or failure of the circulatory system to provide necessary nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What is one agent responsible for local muscle fatigue?

Lactic acid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of stretching tissue quickly?

The tissue's stiffness, or resistance to change, is greater. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during fatigue in a resting muscle?

The quantity of lactic acid increases significantly compared to that in a non-fatigued state. Signup and view all the answers

What is fatigue closely related to?

Contracture. Signup and view all the answers