"What Happens When You Stretch"

3 quotes + analysis:

"One of the reasons for holding a stretch for a prolonged period of time is that as you hold the muscle in a stretched position, the muscle spindle habituates and reduced signaling."
- This quote is interesting because it explains how stretching can increase our flexibility if we stretch often and for long durations.

"This is one reason why sit-ups are good for strengthening the back as well as the stomach."
-Someone told me that sit-ups are bad for your spine and that they could make back problems worse. That statement contradicts the one in the reading, so I wonder which one is true.

"When stretching, it is easier to stretch a muscle that is relaxed than to stretch a muscle that is contracting."
I can relate to this quote because my yoga instructor tells us to take a hot shower before coming to practice because it relaxes our muscles.

Relate and Review:
This article relates to our class because we learned how muscles contract. When muscles contract the sarcomere contracts and when muscles stretch the sarcomere is relaxed. This article also relates to me personally because I occasionally go to yoga lessons. Our yoga instructor always tells us to "lift and lengthen" our muscles while we are stretching. This accurately describes our muscles because it is actually possible to lengthen our muscles. You are able to lengthen your muscles by holding a stretch for a longer period of time, therefore relaxing the muscle.