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Stretching FAQ 2.2.1 - How Connective Tissue Affects FlexibilityStretching FAQ 2.2.1 - How Connective Tissue Affects Flexibility
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Subject: 2.2.1 - How Connective Tissue Affects Flexibility
The resistance to lengthening that is offered by a muscle is dependent upon its connective tissues: When the muscle elongates, the surrounding connective tissues become more taut (See "1.3 - Connective Tissue"). Also, inactivity of certain muscles or joints can cause chemical changes in connective tissue which restrict flexibility. To quote M. Alter directly:
A question of great interest to all athletes is the relative importance
of various tissues in joint stiffness. The joint capsule (i.e., the
saclike structure that encloses the ends of bones) and ligaments are
the most important factors, accounting for 47 percent of the stiffness,
followed by the muscle's fascia (41 percent), the tendons (10 percent),
and skin (2 percent). However, most efforts to increase flexibility
through stretching should be directed to the muscle fascia. The
reasons for this are twofold. First, muscle and its fascia have more
elastic tissue, so they are more modifiable in terms of reducing
resistance to elongation. Second, because ligaments and tendons have
less elasticity than fascia, it is undesirable to produce too much
slack in them. Overstretching these structures may weaken the
integrity of joints. As a result, an excessive amount of flexibility
may destabilize the joints and *increase* an athlete's risk of injury.
When connective tissue is overused, the tissue becomes fatigued and may tear, which also limits flexibility. When connective tissue is unused or under used, it provides significant resistance and limits flexibility. The elastin begins to fray and loses some of its elasticity, and the collagen increases in stiffness and in density. Aging has some of the same effects on connective tissue that lack of use has.
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