Muscle Energy Techniques and Proprioception Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering MET, PIR, RI, PNF, proprioceptors and mechanoreceptors, muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs, reflexes, and stretching concepts.

Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)

A group of techniques that use the energy produced by muscle contraction to improve musculoskeletal function and reduce pain.

Postisometric Relaxation (PIR)

A PNF technique in which an isometric contraction of the target muscle is followed by slow relaxation and elongation to reduce hypertonicity.

Reciprocal Inhibition (RI)

A PNF technique based on the agonist/antagonist principle where contracting the antagonist muscles reflexively relaxes the target muscle.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

A stretching method involving a passive stretch, an isometric contraction against resistance (about 10–20% of max for ~10 seconds), followed by a second passive stretch.

Isometric contraction

A muscle contraction without movement; active contraction without joint angle change.

Agonist

The muscle that performs the movement (prime mover).

Antagonist

The muscle opposing the agonist; it must relax to allow movement.

Proprioceptors

Specialized internal receptors in muscles, joints, and ears that detect body movements and position.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect mechanical changes (movement, deformation) and are located in skin, vessels, ears, muscles, and joints.

Muscle spindles

Stretch-sensitive mechanoreceptors wrapped around intrafusal fibers that monitor muscle length and the rate of change.

Intrafusal muscle fibers

Specialized fibers within the muscle spindle that detect changes in muscle length.

Golgi tendon organs (GTOs)

Mechanoreceptors at musculotendinous junctions that sense muscle tension and can inhibit contraction (inverse stretch reflex).

Inverse stretch reflex

GTO-mediated inhibition of muscle contraction when tension becomes high.

Tendon reflex

A reflex activated by slow, gradual stretch at the musculotendinous junction that allows the muscle to relax and lengthen.

Stretch reflex

A reflexive contraction in response to a rapid stretch, primarily mediated by muscle spindles.

Lengthening

Neurological process of muscle relaxation that elongates myofibrils, resulting in a longer muscle.

Stretching

Elastic deformation of fascia that extends its length.

Musculotendinous junction

Site where muscle fibers meet tendon; rich in Golgi tendon organs and involved in tension sensing.

Passive stretch

A stretch performed without active contraction by the patient; the therapist moves the limb to lengthen the muscle.

PNF protocol

The sequence used in PNF: passive stretch → isometric contraction (10–20% max for ~10 s) → passive stretch.

Hold time for tendon reflex

Stretches should be held for 5–10 seconds to achieve the tendon reflex.