Which statement describes eccentric contraction?

Which statement describes eccentric contraction?

• A. Shortens
• B. Lengthens (ex: stretching)
• C. Static
• D. Isokinetic contraction

Answer: (B)

Eccentric contraction means generating force while the muscle lengthens. This occurs when you control the lowering of a load, as the external force lengthens the muscle even though it’s still actively resisting. That’s why the description of the muscle lengthening (for example, during stretching or lowering a weight) best describes eccentric contraction. Shortening would be a concentric contraction, static means no change in length (isometric), and isokinetic refers to contracting at a constant speed—which is about movement speed, not length change.

Eccentric contraction means generating force while the muscle lengthens. This occurs when you control the lowering of a load, as the external force lengthens the muscle even though it’s still actively resisting.

That’s why the description of the muscle lengthening (for example, during stretching or lowering a weight) best describes eccentric contraction. Shortening would be a concentric contraction, static means no change in length (isometric), and isokinetic refers to contracting at a constant speed—which is about movement speed, not length change.