Year 10 - Physical education
Types of muscle contraction (isometric, concentric and eccentric)
Anatomy and physiology: the musculoskeletal system
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit will examine the structure and function of both the skeletal and the muscular systems. It includes locating major bones and muscles before defining and analysing what movements are possible at different joints.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how the different types of muscle contraction are used in various sporting scenarios.
Key Notes
- There are two main types of muscle contraction: isotonic (moving) and isometric (static).
- When the body is in a fixed position, but the muscle is contracting, it is known as an isometric (static) contraction.
- Isotonic concentric contraction is the shortening of a muscle under tension.
- Isotonic eccentric contraction is the lengthening of a muscle under tension
Vocabulary To Learn
- isotonic: muscle contraction that either shortens (concentric) or lengthens (eccentric)
- isometric: muscle contraction where the length of the muscle does not alter. The contraction is constant.
- concentric: shortening of a muscle when it contracts
- eccentric: lengthening of a muscle when it contracts
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- A muscle will always change length when it contracts.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
There are two main types of muscle contraction: isotonic (moving) and isometric (static). When the body is in a fixed position, but the muscle is contracting, it is known as an isometric (static) contraction.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'isotonic'
muscle contraction that either shortens (concentric) or lengthens (eccentric).
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: A muscle will always change length when it contracts. Correction: A muscle pulls on a bone to create movement. However, occasionally, if the movement is static, the muscle is still contracting and under tension but not changing length. This is known as isometric muscle contraction.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Bones and structure of the skeleton Study Guide
- Classification of bones Study Guide
- Classification of bones applied to performance in physical activities and sports Study Guide
- Classification of joints Study Guide
- Different joints and their movements Study Guide
- Joints and their movements Study Guide
- Movements possible at different joints Study Guide
- Muscles and antagonistic pairs Study Guide
- Muscles of the body and antagonistic pairs Study Guide
- Structure and function of the skeleton Study Guide
- Structure of a synovial joint Study Guide
- Synovial joint structure and function Study Guide
- The functions of the skeleton Study Guide
- Types of muscle and muscle fibre Study Guide
- Voluntary muscles and antagonistic pairs Study Guide
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