What is muscle inhibition?
Muscle inhibition is the result of impaired communication between the brain and a muscle. It refers to the inability of a muscle to contract fully on demand. When a muscle has been overloaded due to stress, trauma or overuse, its contractile capabilities become altered. The end result is that the muscles are less efficient and cannot perform their role when a load or stress is placed on them. This inhibition is a neurological response and manifests itself particularly at the extreme ranges of motion – when the muscle is contracted fully. An inhibited muscle may demonstrate strength at the lengthened and mid-range positions; however, due to the laws of physiology, as an inhibited muscle moves into its shortened position it becomes very inefficient and less able to contract. This results in instability at the associated joint, particularly when placed in an extreme range of motion. When the body recognizes this instability, the opposite muscles tighten up in order to protect the joint fr
