What are Golgi Tendon Organs and how do they affect performance?

Golgi Tendon Organs are nerve networks located in the tendons of the muscles, constantly monitoring tension and help to coordinate actions of many cooperating muscles.

They are important for protecting muscle fibers from too much loading by reducing muscle tension after it reaches a critical value.

However, the Golgi Tendon Apparatus can also decrease force output in training and competition.

During the early years of training, this reflex can be conditioned and overcome by learning proper technique.

Programmes of correctly repeated movements can enable motions to become automatic and reduce the GTO reflex. This is very important in the case of exercises which have to be executed rapidly and cannot allow delays.

With advanced training and increasing loads, it has been found that plyometric training such as depth jumps raise the threshold at which considerable inhibition by the GTOs take place. The normal protective decrease in muscle tension does not occur to the expected extent.

This has strong application for repeatably performing correct movement patterns in training and the practical use of plyometrics.

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Matthew Watkin-Jones

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Experienced strength and conditioning coach with 15+ years of expertise and NSCA CSCS qualification. Global work, sports degree, and insightful articles showcase the commitment to optimizing athlete performance. A proven professional.