Wow, I can answer that for you! :) We just learned that in neurology.
Basically, there are two reflexes that govern muscle tightening/loosening: "muscle spindle reflex" and "Golgi Tendon Organ reflex". The former (also called "stretch reaction reflex") kicks in right away when you start exercising, and keeps the muscles contracted (taut) so your joints stay firm and it's harder for you to twist or sprain (overstretch) them.
A little later, when your muscles have been working for a while, the GTO reflex kicks in, -loosening- your muscles to help prevent spasm and improve blood circulation. So I'll bet that period of discomfort is just the space between the two.
We're being taught in Sports Massage class that stretching -before- an event can actually make injury -likelier-, because your muscle spindles are "calibrated" to the muscles' usual length and pre-event stretching lengthens them. It throws your anti-sprain reflexes off, basically. We learn warm-up Range-of-motion exercises to get the joint fluids flowing, instead of pre-event stretches.
I don't know if any of this will help you, but hey, it's an answer. :)
no subject
Basically, there are two reflexes that govern muscle tightening/loosening: "muscle spindle reflex" and "Golgi Tendon Organ reflex". The former (also called "stretch reaction reflex") kicks in right away when you start exercising, and keeps the muscles contracted (taut) so your joints stay firm and it's harder for you to twist or sprain (overstretch) them.
A little later, when your muscles have been working for a while, the GTO reflex kicks in, -loosening- your muscles to help prevent spasm and improve blood circulation. So I'll bet that period of discomfort is just the space between the two.
We're being taught in Sports Massage class that stretching -before- an event can actually make injury -likelier-, because your muscle spindles are "calibrated" to the muscles' usual length and pre-event stretching lengthens them. It throws your anti-sprain reflexes off, basically. We learn warm-up Range-of-motion exercises to get the joint fluids flowing, instead of pre-event stretches.
I don't know if any of this will help you, but hey, it's an answer. :)