Active insufficiency is a term applied to a multi-joint muscle. It occurs when a multi-joint muscle reaches a length where it can no longer apply effective force.
When a full range of motion at any joint or joints that a muscle crosses is limited by that muscle length, it is called passive insufficiency. In other words, the muscle can not be stretched beyond certain limits without causing pain. When one stretches a biarticulate muscle, they are essentially placing it into a position of passive insufficiency. Although passive insufficiency explains range of motion limitations, it also implies the weaker elongated position in which the muscles placed.
When the hamstrings are fully stretched/elongated for example, when a subject is bent forward touching his toes, they are in a position of passive insufficiency preventing further hip – and knee flexion. In addition, in this position, it is the gluteus maximus (and not the hamstrings) that effectively contribute more to hip extension.
When a subject is leaning forward and at the same time crouching i.e. bent/flexed at the knees, the hamstrings are relaxed and thus in a position of active insufficiency. In this position, the hamstrings are unable to exert enough tension to shorten sufficiently to complete full range of motion (i.e. full knee flexion and full hip extension) in both joints (hip and knees) simultaneously.
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