In terms of muscle contraction, what does 'eccentric' refer to?

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The term 'eccentric' in muscle contraction specifically refers to the process where a muscle lengthens while it is still under tension or contracting. This occurs during movement when a muscle exerts force to control the speed of a movement or to decelerate a load. For example, during the lowering phase of a bicep curl, the biceps muscle is still active but is lengthening as the weight is lowered.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different types of muscle contractions. Muscle shortening while contracting is called concentric contraction. Static muscle contraction occurs when there is no length change in the muscle, maintaining the same position, known as isometric contraction. Muscle fibers at rest would not be actively contracting at all, thereby neither lengthening nor shortening.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping how muscles function during various types of physical activity and for effective training program design that targets specific motor patterns.

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