Reciprocal vs. Autogenic Inhibition Explained | Golgi Tendon Organ and Muscle Spindle Physiology

Golgi Tendon Organ produces Autogenic Inhibition- inhibits the same muscle that is sensing tension
Muscle Spindles produce Reciprocal Inhibition (Inhibits the antagonist and facilitates the agonist)
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00:24 Muscle Spindle Anatomy and Function
01:47 Reciprocal Inhibition
01:50 Muscle Spindle Example
02:38 Patellar Tendon Reflex and Muscle Spindle
03:17 Golgi Tendon Organ Anatomy and Function
03:40 Autogenic Inhibition
03:50 Golgi Tendon Organ Example
04:40 Golgi Tendon Organ Training Implications
05:20 Reducing Antagonist Co-Activation
06:05 Aging and Co-Activation
Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO)
Senses activation (via tension in the tendon)
Golgi Tendon Organ produces Autogenic Inhibition- inhibits the same muscle that is sensing tension
Autogenic Inhibition leads to Decreased Agonist Force Production
Muscle Spindles:
Turns ON the agonist
Turns OFF the antagonist
Muscle Spindles produce Reciprocal Inhibition
Muscle Spindle Reflexes: Quick stretch of the muscle causes muscle spindle activation leading to activation of the agonist and inhibition of the antagonist.
Overall Muscle Spindles are great for sensing quick stretch
Make sure you check out some of the other CSCS Prep Videos I have done:
CSCS Nutrition: • CSCS Nutrition Calcula...
CSCS Work to Rest Ratios: • NSCA CSCS Work to Rest...
Muscle Levers: • Muscle Levers 1st Clas...
Olympic Lifting Technique: • Olympic Lifting Techni...
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[@karu1445]

wow it made sense to me the reciprocal inhibits opposing muscle while the autogenic inhibits the primary muscle

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[@TheMovementSystem]

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[@AlisaMeyer97]

No matter how many times I read the definitions in my book it never made sense... I finally understand what the two mean! Thank you!

[@mwilson042290]

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[@TheMovementSystem]

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The colour plan Anaology of Muscle Spindle is very east-to-understand. Ty very much for the video

[@TheMovementSystem]

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[@TheMovementSystem]

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[@TheMovementSystem]

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[@jordanjoseph3063]

Thanks for the video Matt! This helps a lot with differentiating different forms of inhibition

[@TheMovementSystem]

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[@jacquelingtraveling1337]

very helpful. I clicked through 3-4 videos looking for an explanation on autogenic and reciprocal inhibition and yours was the most informative and easy to understand. thanks!

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[@tonystafford1760]

Can you further explain the last part of “… training to override the inhibition to adapt to heavy training loads”? Thanks

[@TheMovementSystem]

If you use heavy loads often over time the body will decrease the antagonist inhibition. Training with low loads and high demand on balance would increase the antagonist coactivation

[@tareknageeb2832]

How do you detriment the loads for a power lifting program? because you mentioned that 85%+ is consider a high load

[@abbyconroy]

So it's possible that I have more co-activaton bc I have been over-stretching and it could be causing my agonist muscles to be less efficient?

[@philkang3860]

It would be incorrect to associate the mechanisms of reciprocal inhibition (RI) occurring as a result of muscle spindles via stretch reflex. RI merely facilitates the muscle spindle’s stretch reflex response, and is NOT required for the reflex to occur. RI only plays a role in facilitating the stretch reflex response during quick movements (i.e. baseball pitch, knee jerk reflex, etc.) because muscle spindles are ONLY activated during RAPID stretches.
The main proprioceptor behind the fundamental mechanisms of reciprocal inhibition are GTOs!
For example: when the hip flexors (agonist) are contracted/activated during the hold-relax w/ agonist contraction hamstring stretch, the increased ROM that occurs is due to the hamstrings (antagonist) simultaneously experiencing increased tension from the stretch, which activates GTOs in the hamstring to cause a relaxation response and ultimately increasing ROM in the direction of the agonist (reciprocal inhibition). In this case, muscle spindles play NO role in the reciprocal inhibition that occurs during the hold relax w/ agonist contraction PNF technique.

[@TheMovementSystem]

The information presented in this video is from the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning Textbook Pages 10-13 and 325-327. You're certainly welcome to make a video based on your own information source if you would like.

[@philkang3860]

@@TheMovementSystem Appreciate the response. Just went over and reread the pages you listed and can't seem to find anywhere that says muscle spindles are responsible for the actions of reciprocal inhibition. Do you mind pointing out what section this video is specifically referring to? Just a bit confused because the bottom of page 323 specifically states that reciprocal inhibition is due to the actions of GTO.

[@TheMovementSystem]

@@philkang3860 The pathway for the muscle spindle to cause reciprocal inhibition is through the inhibitory interneuron which inhibits the antagonist muscle. This is on page 164 of the National Physical Therapy Exam Review & Study Guide book specifically but now that I look back at it, the CSCS book on page 323 doesn't actually get into interneurons in the discussion of the stretch reflex. Perhaps you're just familiar with one role of the muscle spindles, but there is also a 1a afferent that synapses on alpha motor neurons to contract the homonymous motor pool. (reciprocal inhibition)

[@xleg3ndkill3rx]

wouldnt dampening the GTO response increase our chance of injury if the body doesnt let one know it's too much load before the tendon tear?

[@carloslucas1422]

What are the differtence between P I R and R I ?

[@Yojax]

Woah this has really confused me. I came here thinking reciprocal inhibition can improve flexibility by contracting the antagonist at end ROM. But what you’re saying is different, no?

[@lylrys]

Reciprocal inhibition does improve flexibility by contracting the opposite muscle that you want to lengthen. I think that's what he's saying. *shrugs*

[@virion5850]

​@@lylrysreciprocal inhibition relax the opposing muscle rather than contracting it.. making the job for flexor muscle easier

[@alaaahmed2695]

Isn't the Gto that cause reciprocal inhibtion?

[@qaziahmed4281]

Hi, what is the difference between “stretch” and “tension” as you mentioned these phrases in the video. Also, in regards to reciprocal inhibition i thought that the agonist would contract rather than stretch. Im a little confused.

[@TheMovementSystem]

Stretch would be to lengthen. Tension can be created by shortening a muscle.

[@Set4LifeYT]

I still don't understand muscle inhibition, would help if you can explain what it feels like but I guess I'll just memorize your complicated big words and move on with my studies

[@TheMovementSystem]

Think of it as the signal being inhibited from getting to the muscle all the way. Like a roadblock partially restricting the flow of traffic

[@Set4LifeYT]

@@TheMovementSystem ok so yeah in reference to my last comment it kinda was like a cramp that didn't hurt but it didn't allow me to push the cart further! That's such a clear example thanks so much

[@josh0340]

Hi, I have had very tight calves for about 3 years now and have seen all kinds of specialists and tried loads of stretches and still have the problem, I have been doing some research and muscle inhibition does sound pretty similar to what it feels like .. could u help with this? I will pay u !

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[@jaychefffff]

Read the book and was confused.. watched this video and now im a master… huh!?!?😂😂

[@stevesullivan457]

Nice video
But muscles don’t stretch. They do lengthen.

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AH HAA..

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[@TheMovementSystem]

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[@maryxue5532]

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