Why is our instinct to brace for impact when falling, getting punched, getting into a car accident, etc., when going limp causes less injury/damage to the body?
In: 65
I think this may largely be a myth.
However bracing or being limp during a car crash for example could potentially lead to different injuries.
When braced all the muscles are contracted, and stiff. This will help protect the underlying joints and ligaments however the potential for muscular injury is high.
When limp, the muscles do not engage and therefore do not protect the joints and ligaments resulting in ligaments injury, and dislocations.
Interestingly muscles recover much quicker from injury than ligaments do and are generally less severe injuries.
So I would argue that bracing for impact, especially in a MVA is always the better option.
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