Types of Muscle Contractions

A REALLY bad CrampPushing the Wall

Bicep CurlLanding from a high place

How Muscles Generate Force

Twitch Contractions

• A quick, jerky response to a stimulus–Play a minimal role in normal muscle activity

Tetanic Contraction• Produced by a

series of stimuli bombarding the muscle in rapid succession

• Contractions melt together and result in a sustained contraction or tetanus

• A BAD Cramp

Isometric• The muscle if fired against a load, but DOES NOT Shorten or Lengthen

• Fires at a constant Length

• Carrying an object in front of you without dropping it

Concentric• A muscle firing against a load Shortens causing movement at the joint

• Isotonic–Resistance

through most of the ROM

–Resistance decreases after a certain point

–Gravity Assists• Isokinetic

–Resistance through the full ROM

Eccentric• Muscle fibers are lengthening WHILE they are firing

• Controlling Movement

• Lowering a heavy weight

• Landing from a jump

• Decelerating