Yup, short and tight – long and weak, short and weak -long and tight, short and strong-long and weak, long and strong – short and weak are all definitely possible, my friend.

This is, in part, related to sarcomere disposition and cross-bridging but also neurological tone, gamma-biasing and numerous other factors including fascia tension pathways, respiratory cycle efficiency and more.

Try releasing rectus capitis posterior minor sometime and see the ‘tight’ hamstrings on your client spontaneously release and strengthen : )

Great question and conversation my friend : )

Dax Moy
http://www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com

This correlates with what the good folk at NASM taught me (but some time ago!!) that for example : Hamstring muscles to most people might feel tight and therefore the common action is to stretch the hamstrings. But often time this muscle is actually lengthened and weak hence it feeling tight. I have been getting my clients to use self-myofascial techniques and appropriate stretching and strengthening for the joints affected. Quite often people complain off a burning pain between the shoulder blades. This I thought was due to the muscles being lengthened for too long thus becoming week and not being able to do the job they were designed for.

I found your site through PTSA (Dax). It has had some brilliant articles! I have been sat at my laptop all day!!

Thanks