<P> The Golgi tendon reflex is a normal component of the reflex arc of the peripheral nervous system . In a Golgi tendon reflex, skeletal muscle contraction causes the antagonist muscle to simultaneously lengthen and relax . This reflex is also called the inverse myotatic reflex, because it is the inverse of the stretch reflex . Though muscle tension is increasing during the contraction, alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord supplying the muscle are inhibited . However, antagonistic muscles are activated . </P> <P> The Golgi tendon reflex operates as a protective feedback mechanism to control the tension of an active muscle by causing relaxation before the tendon tension becomes high enough to cause damage . First, as a load is placed on the muscle, the afferent neuron from the Golgi tendon organ fires into the central nervous system . Second, the motor neuron from the spinal cord is inhibited via an IPSP and muscle relaxes . </P>

Reflex causing muscle relaxation so that tendons will not be torn