Flexibility exercises are designed to increase the elasticity of both contractile and non-contractile tissues surrounding or crossing a joint. Which of the following is the MOST accurate representation of the relative contributions of the body's soft tissue to the total resistance encountered by a joint during movement?
A)Skin (20%), tendons (22%), muscle/fascia (40%), joint capsule/ligaments (18%)
B)Skin (2%), tendons (10%), muscle/fascia (41%), joint capsule/ligaments (47%)
C)Skin (5%), tendons (52%), muscle/fascia (30%), joint capsule/ligaments (13%)
D)Skin (10%), tendons (40%), muscle/fascia (43%), joint capsule/ligaments (7%)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greatest restriction to flexibility comes from muscle tissue and from ligaments, including joint capsules (which are just thickened ligaments surrounding a joint). Muscle itself is responsible for approximately 40% of joint resistance; ligaments, almost 50%. Surprisingly, tendons are only responsible for around 10% of the resistance encountered, while the effect of skin is almost intangible.

Flexibility Exercises Are Designed to Increase the Elasticity of Both