Isometric contractions
Isometric muscle contractions are when the muscle maintains the same length but the tension increases when holding a heavy objects. To produce this type of muscle contraction the amount of force that enables the muscle to be efficient depends on the length of the muscle during contraction.
The reasons for the muscle maintaining the same length is because of the muscle fibres not moving but still contracting throughout the whole manoeuvre to keep the movement steady.
A sporting example of an isometric contractions is when fencers grip their sword with their arm straight. There is no movement within the joint of the hand or arm but the muscles contract to provide force to keep the sword steady and prevent the dropping the sword.
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions cause the muscles to change in length as contracts and pulls on the bone which eventually causes different movements. The muscle tensions produced in the muscles stays the same. There are two types of isotonic contractions and they are concentric and eccentric contractions.
Concentric Contractions
Concentric muscle contraction happen when the muscle shortens while generating force and creates movements during the lifting phase of sporting movements. Concentric muscle contractions result in muscles get fatter due to the origin and insertions points moving close together.
For example the lifting phase of the bicep curl, energy travels into the muscle to cause the contraction and pulls on the tendon which pulls on the bone. This causes the bicep muscle to shorten and get fatter in size, this is referred to as the concentric contraction.
Eccentric contractions
Eccentric muscle contraction occur when the muscle lengthens to develop tension. The origin and the insertion points of the muscles move further apart from each other which is the reason why the muscle gets thinner when starts it contracts. This muscle is very different compared to a concentric muscle contraction as it controls the movement of the muscle. If muscles contractions have greater control of movements then it limits the chances of muscles injuries and can efficiently perform different manoeuvres.
In reference to the sliding filament theory the actin and myosin filaments within the muscles fibres contract which will produce the right amounts of force needed to lift the weight.
A sporting example if an eccentric contraction would be the lowering phase of the bicep curl because the triceps muscles start to lengthen as tension increases. The eccentric muscle contraction helps to control the the weight to prevent gravity from pulling the weight downwards which could injure the individual.
Isokinetic contractions
Isokinetic muscle contraction change in length during contractions but they produce movements in relation to constant speed.
For example sports were Isokinetic contractions take places in swimming. During the underwater phase breast stroke, the stroke is performed at a constant speed. For muscles to perform Isokinetic contractions happens when the muscle contracts and shortens at a constant speed.
Isometric muscle contractions are when the muscle maintains the same length but the tension increases when holding a heavy objects. To produce this type of muscle contraction the amount of force that enables the muscle to be efficient depends on the length of the muscle during contraction.
The reasons for the muscle maintaining the same length is because of the muscle fibres not moving but still contracting throughout the whole manoeuvre to keep the movement steady.
A sporting example of an isometric contractions is when fencers grip their sword with their arm straight. There is no movement within the joint of the hand or arm but the muscles contract to provide force to keep the sword steady and prevent the dropping the sword.
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions cause the muscles to change in length as contracts and pulls on the bone which eventually causes different movements. The muscle tensions produced in the muscles stays the same. There are two types of isotonic contractions and they are concentric and eccentric contractions.
Concentric Contractions
Concentric muscle contraction happen when the muscle shortens while generating force and creates movements during the lifting phase of sporting movements. Concentric muscle contractions result in muscles get fatter due to the origin and insertions points moving close together.
For example the lifting phase of the bicep curl, energy travels into the muscle to cause the contraction and pulls on the tendon which pulls on the bone. This causes the bicep muscle to shorten and get fatter in size, this is referred to as the concentric contraction.
Eccentric contractions
Eccentric muscle contraction occur when the muscle lengthens to develop tension. The origin and the insertion points of the muscles move further apart from each other which is the reason why the muscle gets thinner when starts it contracts. This muscle is very different compared to a concentric muscle contraction as it controls the movement of the muscle. If muscles contractions have greater control of movements then it limits the chances of muscles injuries and can efficiently perform different manoeuvres.
In reference to the sliding filament theory the actin and myosin filaments within the muscles fibres contract which will produce the right amounts of force needed to lift the weight.
A sporting example if an eccentric contraction would be the lowering phase of the bicep curl because the triceps muscles start to lengthen as tension increases. The eccentric muscle contraction helps to control the the weight to prevent gravity from pulling the weight downwards which could injure the individual.
Isokinetic contractions
Isokinetic muscle contraction change in length during contractions but they produce movements in relation to constant speed.
For example sports were Isokinetic contractions take places in swimming. During the underwater phase breast stroke, the stroke is performed at a constant speed. For muscles to perform Isokinetic contractions happens when the muscle contracts and shortens at a constant speed.