Stretch reflex

The stretch reflex is a protective mechanism of the muscles. If at a stretch or stretching exercise a muscle is stretched abruptly beyond the pain limit, there is a sudden, reflex -induced contraction of the muscle. This can lead to sprains.

The stretch reflex occurs frequently in the wrong running stretching or stretching exercises, especially during dynamic stretching (also Tension-relaxation stretching ) when the movement is performed too fast and too strong.

• Reflex