Why does a muscle that has been overstretched produce less tension?

A muscle that has been overstretched produces less tension because its filaments (actin and myosin) are no longer optimally aligned for contraction. This misalignment reduces the number of cross-bridges that can form between the filaments, leading to decreased force generation. Additionally, overstretching can also impair the muscle's elastic properties and overall functional capacity. As a result, the muscle becomes less efficient in generating tension during contraction.