Final answer:
The GTO reflex serves to inhibit muscle contraction to prevent muscle and tendon injury by maintaining a safe threshold of force generation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) reflex is a feedback mechanism that inhibits muscle contraction to prevent muscle damage due to excessive force generation. When muscle tension increases significantly, the GTOs are stimulated and in response, they cause the inhibition of the contracting muscle and excitation of the antagonist muscle. This process helps to protect muscles and tendons from excessive tension and potential injury by regulating muscle contraction and ensuring that force generation does not exceed a safe threshold.