TWO JOINT MUSCLE

WORK
TWO JOINT MUSCLES
Muscles can be classified according to the number of joint over which the muscle
passes
 One-joint muscle
 Two-joint muscle
 Multi-joint muscle

Examples…?
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE
INSUFFICIENCY
Both active and passive insufficiency are functional states that occur in multi-joint
muscles only
ACTIVE INSUFFICIENCY
Active insufficiency occurs when a multi-joint muscle shortens over BOTH joints
simultaneously.
hence, creates so much slack, that muscle tension is almost completely lost.
When a prime mover (agonist) becomes shortened to the point that it cannot generate
or maintain active tension, active insufficiency is reached.
EXAMPLE OF ACTIVE
INSUFFICIENCY
•The shortening of the Rectus femoris limits full hip flexion when the knee is fully
extended.
•Maximal shoulder flexion cannot be achieved simultaneously with maximal elbow
flexion due to the shortening of the Biceps Brachii.
PASSIVE INSUFFICIENCY
Passive insufficiency occurs when the multi-joint muscle is lengthened to its fullest
extent at both joints, but also preventing the full ROM of each joint it crosses.
When the opposing muscle (antagonist) is stretched to a point where it can no longer
lengthen and allow further movement, passive insufficiency is reached.
EXAMPLES OF PASSIVE
INSUFFICIENCY
•Full finger flexion cannot be achieved if wrist flexion occurs simultaneously.
•Maximal hip flexion and maximal knee extension are limited by the lengthening of
the Hamstrings.
Passive insufficiency may also occur in pathological conditions. Certain pathologic
conditions may cause muscles and tendons to lose their normal range of excursions.
Examples of these conditions include muscle tightness, spasticity, scar tissue
shortening from trauma or surgery, and adhesion of tendons to their sheaths.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
During rehabilitation, each joint should be moved individually through its available
range of motion in order to optimally improve or maintain the amount of range of
motion at that joint.
GROUP MOVEMENT OF
JOINTS