Increasing muscle extensibility: a matter of increasing length or modifying sensation?

Cynthia Holzman Weppler, S Peter Magnusson

March 2010

Synopsis of Social media discussions

The discussions reflect an active exploration of the article’s themes, with many referencing scientific insights, such as the review from Magnusson on stretch tolerance, and personal anecdotes like learning from a YouTube 'jock'. The tone varies from dismissive to analytical, indicating diverse perspectives but overall a keen interest in understanding whether muscle lengthening or sensation modification underlies flexibility gains.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the distinction between physical muscle lengthening and sensation modification, with some backing the idea that changing perception plays a more significant role in flexibility improvements.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

Participants show high interest as they reference scientific studies, clinical applications, and personal experiences about stretching and muscle extensibility.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

Discussions reflect meaningful engagement, with users quoting research, retweeting relevant articles, and debating the effectiveness of stretching techniques.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

The conversations suggest a moderate impact on practitioners and fitness enthusiasts, influencing ideas about effective stretching practices and understanding muscle flexibility.

Social Mentions

YouTube

5 Videos

Facebook

14 Posts

Twitter

22 Posts

Blogs

2 Articles

News

10 Articles

Metrics

Video Views

57,926

Total Likes

285

Extended Reach

302,643

Social Features

53

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

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  • Benjamin Barrientos Arcos
    @Benjamin156332 (Twitter)

    Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation? https://t.co/rDgOTz8Wo9
    view full post

    October 15, 2024

  • Jimmy Mackey
    @thejimmymackey (Twitter)

    @ForeverFatLoss Good thing stretching is a waste of time https://t.co/7V1h2phB0F
    view full post

    April 27, 2023

    2

  • THE B
    @iangattphysio (Twitter)

    @GregLehman @IUBiff85 Its the difference between ‘muscle extensibility’ and ‘patient/athlete sensation’ with stretching techniques. Don’t need the former to achieve the latter. This is an oldish review but useful read
    view full post

    September 13, 2021

    3

  • Yazeed Alyahya
    @yyh150 (Twitter)

    @AbdulazizEdree 4- Increasing muscle extensibility: a matter of increasing length or modifying sensation? Weppler CH, Magnusson SP, Phys Ther, 2010 Mar;90 (3):438-49. Epub 2010 Jan 14, | 5- Neural aspects of muscle stretching. Guissard N, Duchateau J. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2006 Oct;34(4):154-8.
    view full post

    May 3, 2021

    1

  • Lau Saugman
    @LSaugman (Twitter)

    @AdamMeakins @GregLehman @BillingMartin @coachnickg @TonyBlazevich this one I found very useful as an overview but also clinical useful : https://t.co/nLaUfaBASW (blazevich).and this by magnusson: https://t.co/yG2ewiOTgf
    view full post

    April 28, 2021

  • ben hsieh
    @tweetsbenedict (Twitter)

    Sources, just to get them out of the way: Academic: https://t.co/zZjquKjEgu More approachable blog: https://t.co/8MIyaxchgY But in reality I learned this from a jock on youtube. I was trying to learn to do a handstand. Bro science ftw!
    view full post

    March 28, 2021

    8

  • Lau Saugman
    @LSaugman (Twitter)

    @GregLehman Not sure of the 90's paper but this 2010 review from him: https://t.co/3Fr0CtowIN just talks about stretch tolerance. Example: before stretching SLR to 60 deg, after 70 deg. No changes in tissue properties (only shortly after) but changes in tolerance/habituation.
    view full post

    July 6, 2020

  • Laurent MARC
    @laurentmarc45 (Twitter)

    RT @clement_physio: New paper on the blog ! Muscle extensibility, what are we actually doing ?
    view full post

    June 3, 2020

    2

  • Rachiphile
    @joshlavalleeMK (Twitter)

    RT @clement_physio: New paper on the blog ! Muscle extensibility, what are we actually doing ?
    view full post

    June 2, 2020

    2

  • Clément NOËL
    @clement_physio (Twitter)

    New paper on the blog ! Muscle extensibility, what are we actually doing ?
    view full post

    June 2, 2020

    2

    2

  • Sergio Rodriguez
    @sergioquequi1 (Twitter)

    RT @zerapi: #ParaFisios... ¿Qué sabríais decirnos sobre la Aumento de la extensibilidad muscular? Hoy os traemos un interesante artículo so…
    view full post

    July 14, 2019

    4

  • Pablo Montoya Ch.
    @PabloMontoyaCh (Twitter)

    RT @zerapi: #ParaFisios... ¿Qué sabríais decirnos sobre la Aumento de la extensibilidad muscular? Hoy os traemos un interesante artículo so…
    view full post

    July 14, 2019

    4

  • Jorge Álvarez Rivas
    @jorge_ze (Twitter)

    RT @zerapi: #ParaFisios... ¿Qué sabríais decirnos sobre la Aumento de la extensibilidad muscular? Hoy os traemos un interesante artículo so…
    view full post

    July 14, 2019

    4

  • ZÉRAPI
    @zerapi (Twitter)

    #ParaFisios... ¿Qué sabríais decirnos sobre la Aumento de la extensibilidad muscular? Hoy os traemos un interesante artículo sobre la cuestión de aumentar la longitud o modificar la sensación en #fisioterapia. ¡Muy interesante!
    view full post

    July 14, 2019

    19

    4

  • Jorge Genove pascual
    @JorjoGenove (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • Laurent MARC
    @laurentmarc45 (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • RF
    @_rennd (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • ManuSB_fisio
    @ManuelSantosBe2 (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • Fisiofocus Formación
    @Fisiofocus (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • Javi Guerra
    @Javi_Guerra_Ar (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • Luis Barrera ▲
    @Luis0B (Twitter)

    RT @PhysioMeScience: Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    7

  • Physio Meets Science
    @PhysioMeScience (Twitter)

    Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation
    view full post

    July 12, 2019

    24

    7

Abstract Synopsis

  • The article discusses two main ideas about why muscles become more flexible with stretching: one suggests it is because the muscle physically lengthens, while the other proposes it is mainly due to changes in sensation or perception of stretching.
  • Research shows that during stretching, muscles do temporarily lengthen because of their viscoelastic properties, but this effect doesn't last long and depends on how stretching is done.
  • Most short-term studies indicate that improvements in muscle flexibility after stretching are more likely due to changes in sensation rather than actual long-term physical lengthening of the muscle; however, the effects of longer, chronic stretching programs are still not fully understood.]