Eccentric Muscle Contraction. Due to its specific physiological and mechanical properties there is an increasing interest in employing eccentric muscle work for rehabilitation and clinical purposes. Eccentric contractions characterized by the lengthening of the muscle-tendon complex present several unique features compared with other types of contractions which may lead to unique adaptations. However the energy consumption is the lowest. This is called an eccentric muscle contraction.
Key facts about eccentric muscle contraction. Due to its specific physiological and mechanical properties there is an increasing interest in employing eccentric muscle work for rehabilitation and clinical purposes. The origin and insertion of the muscle move closer together and the muscle becomes fatter. Muscle lengthening that happens when a force applied to the muscle surpasses the force it produces. Eccentric contractions characterized by the lengthening of the muscle-tendon complex present several unique features compared with other types of contractions which may lead to unique adaptations. Eccentric contractions occur when a muscle opposes a stronger force and reverse its initial trajectory.
This is typical of muscles that contract due to the sliding filament mechanism and it occurs throughout the muscle.
Eccentric contractions are sometimes referred to as braking contractions negative work or simply negatives. A concentric contraction is a type of muscle contraction in which the muscles shorten while generating force. This type of contraction is widely known as muscle contraction. Muscle lengthening that happens when a force applied to the muscle surpasses the force it produces. Lowering the body from a position in which the body was supported by the flexed arms ie holding onto a bar above the head is such a contraction. 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.