Question

Your client Ethan presents with an overactive/shortened quadriceps group, which is causing the hamstrings to be underactive/lengthened. What is this phenomenon called?

A) Muscle synergy
B) Reciprocal inhibition
C) Altered reciprocal dominance
D) Synergistic inhibition

Answer 1

Reciprocal inhibition is the phenomenon where the overactive quadriceps group inhibits the activation of the hamstrings, resulting in the hamstrings being underactive or lengthened.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phenomenon described is called reciprocal inhibition. Reciprocal inhibition is a neuromuscular phenomenon where the muscles on one side of a joint relax to allow the muscles on the opposite side to contract effectively.

In this case, the overactive quadriceps group is inhibiting or resisting the activation of the hamstrings, which results in the hamstrings being underactive or lengthened.