THIXOTROPY
- A PHYSICAL PROPERTY USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN GELS WHOSE MOLECULAR BONDS ARE DISRUPTED BY MOVEMENT.
- MAY HELP EXPLAIN SKELETAL MUSCLE'S VISCOUS BEHAVIOR
- ATTRIBUTED TO FORMATION OF "WEAK" ACTIN-MYOSIN CROSS-BRIDGES
IN RESTING MUSCLE
PROPERTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIXOTROPIC MATERIALS:
- STIFFNESS DEPENDS ON RECENT HISTORY OF MOVEMENT.
- STIFFNESS INCREASES WITH
PRIOR IMMOBILITY / STILLNESS
- STIFFNESS DECREASES WITH
PRIOR MOVEMENT
TETANIC ISOMETRIC STIMULATION
Source:
Carey, J.R., & Burghardt, T.P. (1993). Movement dysfunction following central nervous system lesions: A problem of neurologic or muscular impairment. Physical Therapy, 73, 538-547.