Eccentric contraction

Eccentric Contraction

Eccentric contraction (/ɪˈsɛntrɪk kənˈtrækʃən/) is a type of muscle contraction in which the muscle elongates while under tension due to an opposing force being greater than the force generated by the muscle.

Etymology

The term "eccentric" comes from the Greek "ekkentros", meaning "out of the center", which refers to the action of the muscle moving away from its center or point of origin. The term "contraction", in this context, is somewhat of a misnomer as the muscle is actually lengthening, not shortening.

Types of Muscle Contraction

There are three types of muscle contractions: concentric, eccentric, and isometric. In a concentric contraction, the muscle shortens as it contracts, while in an isometric contraction, the muscle length does not change.

Eccentric vs Concentric Contraction

In an eccentric contraction, the muscle resists a force which is greater than the force produced by the muscle. This is in contrast to a concentric contraction, where the muscle overcomes a force and shortens as it contracts. Eccentric contractions are typically associated with muscle actions such as lowering a weight or controlling the downward phase of a jump.

Related Terms

• Muscle fiber
• Muscle tissue
• Skeletal muscle
• Muscle hypertrophy
• Muscle atrophy

See Also

• Muscle Physiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Strength Training

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Eccentric contraction
• Wikipedia's article - Eccentric contraction

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