Tensing
Tensing is the act or tendency to increase the tension in a muscle or group of muscles. It can occur voluntarily, such as when a person clenches a fist or braces for effort, or involuntarily as part of reflexes, postural control, or heightened arousal. In everyday language, it is often described as “muscle tension” or “tensing up.”
Physiologically, muscle contraction begins when motor neurons release acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, triggering cross-bridge cycling
Voluntary tensing supports movement, stabilization, and posture. It helps generate force for actions such as lifting,
Clinical and therapeutic contexts sometimes use controlled tensing as part of relaxation programs. Progressive muscle relaxation,
Etymology traces to the Latin tensus, meaning stretched or drawn tight, from tendere, to stretch.