Contraction

• Antagonistic pairs


  As one muscle shortens, the other lengthens
• Concentric contraction


  • Tension develops as muscle shortens
  • Causes joint movement
• Eccentric contraction


  • Tension develops as muscle lengthens
  • Controls joint movement
  • Happens when working against resistance
• Isometric contraction


  • Tension in muscle with no movement
  • Stays same length
• Agonist


  • Prime mover
  • Muscle responsible for causing movement
  • Normally shortens
• Antagonist


  • Works opposite to the agonist
  • Relaxes
  • Normally lengthens
• Fixator


  • Stabilises the joint
  • Helps the agonist function effectively
• Rotator cuff group increases stability of shoulder joint

  
• Core stability muscles contract before limbs move to stabilise the lumbar (spine)
• During resistance work the AGONIST has ECCENTRIC contraction as it lengthens under tension to control the movement