KINESIOLOGY

Lesson 12
Muscle Strength

M Farrukh Shahzad
BSPT, PPDPT

MUSCLE STRENGTH AND MUSCLE ACTION

Overviewofmusclestructure
TypesofMusclescontraction
Musclestone
Typesofmusclework
Rangeofmusclework
Groupactionofmuscles
Twojointmusclework
Activeandpassiveinsufficiency
Groupmovementofjoints
Muscularweaknessandparalysis
Preventionofmuscleswasting
Theinitiationofmuscularcontraction
Strengtheningmethodspage

Overview of muscle structure

3 types of m uscular
contraction
MUSCULAR CONTRACTION
Tension develops in a muscle

ISOTONIC CONTRACTION

ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION

Tension is produced in the muscles

while there is a change in muscle
length. It is a dynamic contraction
because movement occurs at the joint

Tension develops in muscle but there is no

change in muscle length. It is a static
contraction as no movement occurs at the
joint

CONCENTRIC
CONTRACTION

ECCENTRIC
CONTRACTION

ISOMETRIC
CONTRACTION

Tension develops
while muscle
shortens

Tension develops
while muscle
lengthens

Stops joint
movement

Causes joint
movement

Controls joint
movement

Range of muscle work

It can be called as excursion of the muscles i-e

the amount of shortening or lengthening

during contraction
OR
The range of muscle work is the extent of the
muscular contraction which results in joint
movement

Full Range
The joint is moved as the muscle work from

the position in which they are fully stretched

to the position in which they are fully
contracted. This work is done concentrically

Full Range
Joint is moved from the position of full

contraction to the position of maximum

extension. This work is done eccentrically
Under ordinary circumstances muscles are rarely
required to work in full range
In emergencies muscle may have to do full range
work
Maintain joint mobility
Increase circulation
Ensure emergency reserve of power and mobility
is preserved

Inner Range
The muscle works either concentrically from

the position in which it is partially contracted

(approximately half way b/w the limits of full
range) to a position of full contraction

Inner Range
Vice versa if it works eccentrically

Exercise in inner range are used to gain or to

maintain movement of the joint in the
direction of the muscle pull

And to train some extensor muscles

responsible for stabilising the joints.

Outer Range
The muscle work concentrically from the

position in which they are fully stretched to a

position in which they are they are partially
(half) contracted

Outer Range
Vice versa if the muscles are working

eccentrically
Outer range is used in muscle re-education, as

contraction is initiated more easily from

stretch in most muscles

Middle Range
The muscle during this range are never

either fully stretched or fully contracted

This is the range in which the muscles are
most often used during every day life
Most efficient range of muscle work
Exercises performed in this range maintain
muscular tone and normal power.
Full joint movement is never achieved
during middle range exercises.

Group action of muscles

Under normal conditions a single muscle

never works alone to produce movement or

secure stability.
Functionally muscles work together in
groups although each muscle may have some
specific part to play in relation to action of the
whole group e.g. by determining the precise
direction of the movement

Group action of muscles

By maintaining its progress in a particular part

of range

The integrated activity of many muscles

groups is required for the production of

efficient functional movement

The functions of theses muscle groups are

indicated by their names.

Muscle groups
1. Agonist
2. Antagonist
3. Synergist
4. Fixator

Agonist
These are the group of muscles which contract

to provide the force required to produce the

movement

EXAMPLE
An example that comes to mind is the quadriceps

group during the act of running. They are one of

the primary accelerators of the lower body because
of their ability to extend the lower leg during the
pushing action of running.

Antagonist
These are the group of muscles whose action

would oppose that of the agonists,

Their activity is producing inhibition
They relax progressively to control and permit

the movement

EXAMPLE
To continue with the example above, if the

quads are considered an agonist for running,

then the hamstrings can be considered
antagonists. Their primary role during running
is to decelerate the lower leg to control toe
placement while running.

Synergist
Its the Greek prefix syn- means with.
Its name indicate that these muscles work with

the agonist to provide a suitable back ground

for activity and to facilitate the movement
Synergist may be required to modify the
direction of the pull of an agonist
Sometimes to control joints not involved in the
movements it happens in case of muscles
passes over two or more joints

EXAMPLE
A good example of a pair

of synergist muscles can be found in the

elbow, where the brachioradialis and biceps
work together to extend or flex the arm by
moving the elbow joint.

EXAMPLE
A perfect example of this relationship is the

Hamstring group. The hamstrings are

designed to assist with hip extension, but the
primary mover for hip extension are the
Glutes.

Fixator
These muscles works to stabilise bones of

origin of the agonists to increase their

efficiency for the production of the movement
Fixator secure the stability of the body as a

whole

EXAMPLE
When you look at the shoulder, it is impossible

to have good shoulder function, if the

rhomboids and low to mid traps aren't
functioning well to stabilize the scapula.

Two joint muscle work ( Group Movement of joints)

Active insufficiency
The inability of a muscle, which spans two or

more joints, to exert enough tension and

shorten sufficiently to cause a full range of
movement in all joints at the same time

Active insufficiency
Its mean Poor Lengthening of the agonist

muscle
- Example (i):
When bend the wrist ( flexion the wrist ) and
bend the elbow ( flexion the elbow ), its hard
to make a fist of the hand. It is because the
length of the agonist muscle ( flexor ) is not
sufficient.

Passive insufficiency
The inability of a muscle that spans two or

more joints to be stretched sufficiently to

produce a full range of motion in all the joints
simultaneously.

Passive insufficiency
Passive insufficiency :

- Its mean Poor Lengthening of the antagonist

muscle
- Example (i):
Make a fist of the hand first, and then bend the
wrist and elbow. The fist will be weak. Its is
because of pulling back of antagonist muscle
for fist.

Topics
Muscular weakness and paralysis

Muscular weakness and paralysis

Paralysis is complete loss of muscle function for one or

more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of

feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is
sensory damage as well as motor.
Paresis: partial loss of function of muscle is called
paresis.
Muscular weakness and paralysis results in loss of
movement, stability, it develops the state of muscular
imbalance which will lead to uncoordinated movements.
Weak muscles should be protected and encouraged by
early re-education until they become normal and strong
enough.

Causes of
muscular weakness and paralysis

contraction is the only mean by which

muscle power can be maintained or increased

Causes of muscular weakness could be any

lesion effecting the tissue or inclination not to

move

Causes of
muscular weakness and paralysis

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Lesion affecting AHCs(Anterior horn cells)

Lesion affecting the motor pathways
Lesion affecting the muscular tissue
Disuse of normal muscle and nerve tissue
Constitutional diseases:
Functional

Prevention of muscle wasting

Muscles tend to waste when they are:
Immobilized
Injured
De nervated
Lack contraction/activity

Prevention of muscle wasting

Muscle wasting can be prevented by:
Exercises
Isometric, concentric, eccentric, ROM
Modalities
Electrical stimulation, heat therapy
Massage
Good nutrition
Aerobic exercises

Muscle wasting
Muscle wasting causes:
A decrease in size and volume of muscle
A decrease in the number of motor units
A decrease in the ability to generate tension

and contract

Prevention of muscular weakness

In flaccid paralysis
In flaccid paralysis there is lower motor
neuron lesion
Muscles are hypotonic and unable to contract.
Rapid wasting of muscles took place.
This wasting can not be prevented but can be
arrested.

Principles of treatment during flaccid paralysis

1.Protection of the effected muscle or muscle
groups.
Example foot drop/wrist drop discussion?
2. Maintenance of Circulation
3. Range of movement in joints immobilised
Consideration of two joint muscles
4. Remembrance of pattern of movement
5. Strength and use of normal muscles

Prevention of muscular weakness

In spastic paralysis
upper motor neuron lesion
Muscles are hypertonic
Incapable of performing voluntary movements
(contraction, relaxation)
In spastic paralysis muscle wasting is not
marked.

Principles of treatment during spastic paralysis

In spastic paralysis the affected area or the

limb is locked in spasm

Circulation is impeded, muscle and joint

contractures may developed if remained
untreated over a period of time

Principles of treatment during spastic paralysis

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Aim of treatment
Position of the limb
Maintain normal joint range of motion
Maintain muscle extensibility
Improve circulation
Reflex movement initiation by means of PNF
techniques (proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation)

Treatment in primary lesion of the muscle tissue

Loss of power can not be arrested as the

contractile tissue muscle itself got injured

Improvement can be gained with light

exercises this improvement is the result of

making the best use of the fibres which are
still in tact

Prevention of muscular weakness in disuse atrophy

If there is no constitutional disease it can be
prevented or controlled by
Strong and frequent contraction against resistance
Exercise should be carried out within the limit of
disability
Exercise with manual resistance in early stages of
recovery
Patient understanding about the need to exercise
Five minutes in every hour for exercises
Suitable games, sports under supervision

In constitutional disease
rheumatoid arthritis

Isometric exercises in pain free area helps to

prevent the atrophy

It will also lead to increased pain free

movement to achieve functional movements

Initiation ofM uscular Contraction

(Early Re-Education)
Measures used to obtain initiation of

contraction

Strengthening M ethods
Treatment to increase muscular strength and

function