Contraction Types

• Concentric contraction


  Muscle shortens as it contracts, used to accelerate an object or your own body
• Eccentric contraction


  Muscle lengthens under tension to decelerate you or an object
• Eccentric contraction


  Gravity pulls things down, but the muscle lengthens under control to lower it slowly
• Eccentric contractions in sport

  • Lowering a dumbbell
  • Downward phase of a press up
  • Downward phase of a squat
  • Landing from a jump
• Isometric contraction


  Muscle contracts but there is no change in muscle length, used to hold a fixed position
• Isometric contractions in sport

  • Gymnastics crucifix position
  • Gymnastics handstand position
  • Sprinter's start position
  • Swimmer's start position
• Concentric contractions are the most common type of contraction in sport, as they are used to accelerate movement
• Eccentric contractions are less common than concentric contractions in sport, but still important for decelerating movement
• Isometric contractions are the least common type of contraction in sport, as they are used to hold fixed positions
• Isotonic contraction


  Contraction where the tension or speed changes, includes both concentric and eccentric contractions
• Isometric contractions are different from isotonic contractions, as isometric contractions have no change in muscle length