What is stretching mechanism?
Stretching is a process that involves lengthening or elongating a muscle or group of muscles beyond their normal or resting length. This is achieved through the activation of muscle spindles and the stretching of muscle fibers. When a muscle is stretched, the muscle spindles within the muscle are activated and send a signal to the spinal cord, which in turn sends a signal back to the muscle causing it to contract. This is known as the stretch reflex, which is an involuntary response that helps to protect the muscle from overstretching and potential injury.
The stretch reflex is followed by a relaxation phase, during which the muscle fibers are able to elongate and stretch further. This phase is important for increasing flexibility and range of motion in the joints. Over time, consistent stretching can help to increase the length and elasticity of muscles and improve overall flexibility and mobility.