Download 6. Types of muscle contraction

Section A: Applied Anatomy and
Physiology
6. Types of muscle contraction
Syllabus
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Concentric
Eccentric
Isometric
Isokinetic
Isokinetic muscle contraction
• Action that occurs when the speed of
shortening of the muscle remains constant
over the entire range of movement
• Maximum force can also be exerted at all joint
angles of the movement
Isometric muscle contraction
• Occurs when there is no active shortening or
lengthening of the muscle, with the muscle
length remaining static
• Isometric contractions occur when the force
of the muscle equals the weight or load of the
object lifted
Isotonic muscle contraction
• This occurs when the tension remain constant
and where the muscle shortens by pulling on
another structure such as the origin
– See concentric contraction
– See eccentric contraction
Concentric muscle contraction
• Involves a muscle shortening whilst
contracting
Eccentric contraction
• Involves the lengthening of the muscle during
movement