Reciprocal inhibition

Reciprocal inhibition is a neuromuscular process in which muscles on one side of a joint relax to allow the contraction of muscles on the opposite side, enabling smooth and coordinated movement. This concept, introduced by Charles Sherrington, a pioneering neuroscientist, is also referred to as reflexive antagonism in some allied health fields. Sherrington, one of the founding figures in neurophysiology, observed that when the central nervous system signals an agonist muscle to contract, inhibitory signals are sent to the antagonist muscle, encouraging it to relax and reduce resistance. This mechanism, known as reciprocal inhibition, is essential for efficient movement and helps prevent muscle strain by balancing forces around a joint.