When is a muscle considered overactive?

• A. When it remains completely relaxed during movement
• B. When it is unable to generate any force during contraction
• C. When it only contracts in response to voluntary movement
• D. When it is consistently contracted and inhibits the function of its opposing muscle group

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of muscle activity. Muscles are considered overactive when they remain in a state of excessive contraction, even when they should be relaxed during certain movements.
2. Step 2: Learn about the role of opposing muscle groups. Muscles work in pairs, known as agonist and antagonist groups. When one muscle contracts, its opposing muscle should relax to allow smooth movement.
3. Step 3: Recognize the impact of overactive muscles. If a muscle is consistently contracted, it can inhibit the function of its opposing muscle group, leading to imbalances and restricted movement.
4. Step 4: Differentiate overactive muscles from other conditions. Overactive muscles are not completely relaxed during movement, nor are they unable to generate force during contraction. They also do not contract solely in response to voluntary movement.
5. Step 5: Apply this knowledge to identify overactive muscles in practical scenarios, such as postural assessments or movement analysis, where muscle imbalances may be observed.