MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -There are 2 types of isotonic contractions: concentric and eccentric. In a concentric contraction, the muscle tension rises to meet the resistance then remains stable as the muscle shortens. During eccentric contraction, the muscle lengthens as the resistance becomes greater than the force the muscle is producing.

Detailed explanation-2: -An eccentric (lengthening) muscle contraction occurs when a force applied to the muscle exceeds the momentary force produced by the muscle itself, resulting in the forced lengthening of the muscle-tendon system while contracting (Lindstedt et al., 2001).

Detailed explanation-3: -Eccentric contraction occurs when the force of contraction is less than the force of resistance. In other words, the force of resistance is greater than that of contraction, resulting in muscle lengthening and an increased distance between muscle origin and insertion.

Detailed explanation-4: -Eccentric exercises are exactly that; they are slow, lengthening muscle contractions that are for a specific muscle. For example, if you imagine slowly lowering yourself down to sit into a chair, the slow motion of you going from a standing position to sitting is an eccentric contraction, or “negative”.

Detailed explanation-5: -For example, when you lift a barbell, you are using concentric contractions; as you lower it, eccentric contractions are at play. Movements that employ eccentric contractions include walking down stairs, running downhill, lowering weights, and the downward motion of squats, push-ups or pull-ups.