top of page
  • Writer's pictureEduardo Picasso

Importance of elongation: Influence of the posterior muscle chain in the human being (Part 1)



The muscles of the body are interconnected through connective tissue or fascia (fibrous membrane that surrounds and relates them); in this way the muscle chains are created. These chains facilitate the redistribution of forces throughout the body, and allow the muscles not to act in isolation, since if they did, they would not be effective or capable of performing different functions, movements, or maintaining a posture. On the other hand, the balance of the body is based on a "previous imbalance", this means that "we tend to fall forward". This happens because when we are standing, the line of gravity falls forward, in front of the malleoli (we could say "in front of the heels") and the weight of the head is "hanging" anteriorly as well. This previous imbalance is no coincidence, nature and biology are intelligent, and this position reduces the inertia of the body, which will be put into motion quickly. The result of this forward unloading of weight tightens the predominantly posterior fasciae and muscles (to prevent us from falling anteriorly). For this reason (among others), the posterior muscle chain tends to shorten over the years, and its elongation is important.

bottom of page