Possible paradox: Muscle stiffness - indispensable or undesirable?

• Authors: Michał Kuszewski , Edward Saulicz , Rafał Gnat
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Muscle stiffness is usually described as the ratio of change in muscle length to value of force causing this change. Nowadays, increase in muscle stiffness constitutes a problem that physiotherapy meets more and more often. On one hand it creates a crucial factor enabling effective stabilization of the joint, on the other hand - may accelerate overloading changes due to inevitable increase of compressive forces acting on articular surfaces. The objective of the paper is to present modern views on stiffness phenomenon and undertake a pursuit of factors conditioning it.

PL

Sztywność mięśnia jest najczęściej określana jako stosunek zmiany jego długości do wielkości siły, w wyniku której owa zmiana zachodzi. Wzrost sztywności tkanki mięśniowej to problem, z którym fizjoterapia styka się coraz częściej. Z jednej strony stanowi ona czynnik decydujący o efektywnej stabilizacji stawu, z drugiej natomiast zwiększa komponentę sił dociskających powierzchnie stawowe do siebie, co po dłuższym czasie może prowadzić do zmian przeciążeniowych i szybszego "zużywania" się chrząstki stawowej. Niniejsza praca przedstawia aktualne poglądy dotyczące zjawiska sztywności, a także podejmuje próbę poszukiwania jej uwarunkowań.

Keywords

EN

stiffness; suppleness; flexibility; muscles

PL

sztywność; gibkość; elastyczność; mięśnie

• Publisher: Versita
• Journal: Physiotherapy
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 92-98

Dates

published

1 - 1 - 2008

online

21 - 10 - 2009

Contributors

author

Michał Kuszewski

• Department of Physiotherapy Bases, University School of Physical Education, Katowice

author

Edward Saulicz

• Department of Physiotherapy Bases, University School of Physical Education, Katowice

author

Rafał Gnat

• Department of Ergonomy, Prosthodontics, Orthotics, University School of Physical Education, Katowice

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10109-009-0010-2