Muscle stretching can be defined as an increase in the length of muscle tissue.
To understand the concept of stretching a little better, we need to start with anatomy and which structures have the ability to stretch.
The human locomotor apparatus is made in such a way that there is a solid part, that is, a skeleton that cannot be deformed much under the action of forces, and soft tissues that are subject to changes in their length. There are several different tissues that we can stretch – nerves, tendons, ligaments, fascia, muscles…
When we talk about stretching, the first thought is always muscles, so we will explain in a little more detail how these muscles stretch.
The properties of the muscles that are responsible for changing the length of the muscles are extensibility and elasticity.
Stretchability is the ability of a muscle to elongate to a certain extent without interrupting its continuity (partial or complete tearing – rupture).
Elasticity is the ability of a muscle to return to its original length and shape after stretching under the influence of an external force, when the action of that force ceases.
Looking at the anatomy of a muscle, it consists of tendons (two or more, depending on the shape and structure of the skeletal muscle) and a muscular body. Tendons are structures that are located at the ends of the muscular body and attach the muscle to the bone.
When a muscle is stretched, there is an elongation of its muscular body and a shortening of its tendons at the ends. The elongation of the muscular body occurs at the expense of the thickness of the muscles, that is, the thickness of the muscles decreases and the length increases.
What is important to mention is that there are certain structures that have the role of preventing the muscle from stretching beyond its limits, and without them, the muscle would not be able to send a signal that there is enough stretching. These are the Golgi tendon organ and the neuromuscular spindle. These two structures will be able to dose the stretching of the muscle so that it does not break or irritate.
When stretching is done daily, the muscles and their structures adapt to the range of motion and length achieved and have the ability to maintain the results you have made. Of course, stretching has the greatest effect if it is done at an earlier age, especially in the period of growth and development, because then it is easier to conquer some new volume, get the body used to the feeling of stretching and teach it that it needs it.
Our muscles are shortened every day due to the constant body positions we take, and in general, their elasticity and flexibility are reduced due to immobility, as well as strength. It is very important to allow the muscles to maintain their natural lengths and ensure free movement of the body in all directions, without pain and restrictions that are not in accordance with what the natural anatomy has determined.
