What is the purpose of the myotatic reflex?

The myotatic reflex, also known as the stretch reflex, primarily serves to protect muscles from overstretching by initiating a reflexive contraction in response to stretching. When a muscle is stretched, sensory receptors called muscle spindles detect the change in length and send signals to the spinal cord. This prompts an immediate response that causes the muscle to contract, thereby counteracting the stretching force. This reflex mechanism provides a rapid protective response, preventing potential damage or injury that could occur from excessive stretching.

While other answers address aspects related to muscle and exercise, they do not capture the fundamental purpose of the myotatic reflex, which is specifically aimed at muscle protection during conditions that could lead to overstretching.