Types of muscle contractions

When we think of muscles flexing we perhaps think of bodybuilders flexing their biceps during a bicep curl.

While this certainly is one of the types of muscle contraction it is not the only type. There are in fact three types of muscle contraction concentric, eccentric and static, split into two groups. 

Isotonic

Muscle tension whilst shortening or lengthening:

  • Concentric – muscle tension whilst shortening, i.e the upward phase of a bicep burl
  • Eccentric – muscle tension whilst lengthening, i.e the downward phase of a bicep curl
Isometric

Muscle tension with no change in muscle length i.e pausing at the bottom of a barbell back squat (static)

How many of those can you match up correctly?

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