Flashcards for Types of Contractions

What is a cocontraction?

It occurs when both 2 or more muscles contract at the same time. There are 3 different types - synergist, stabilizing, and neutralizing.

What is an agonist

The primary muscle working.

What is an isometric contraction?

The tension in muscle is equal to a resistance, causing no change in muscle length.

What is an eccentric contraction?

The tension in muscle is less than a resistance, causing the muscle to lengthen.

What is a concentric contraction?

The tension in muscle overcomes a resistance, causing the muscle to shorten.

What is an isokinetic contraction?

The velocity of contractions remains the same (not typical in everyday movement).

What is a concurrent contraction?

What happens in one biarticular muscle is similar to the other biarticular muscle. (For example, both muscles are shortening at one end and lengthening at the other) In this contraction, the overall length of the muscle stays similar to its resting length (optimal length).

What is the definition of a contraction?

When a muscle cell generates tension.

What is an isotonic contraction

When there is constant tension in muscle fiber even though the fiber length is changing.

What is a stabilizing contraction?

A cocontraction where agonists and antagonists contract to stabilize, causing NO MOVEMENT.

What is a neutralizing contraction?

A cocontraction where muscles cancel out in a way that produces a COMMON MOVEMENT.

What is a synergist contraction?

A cocontraction where the muscles work together to IMPROVE MOVEMENT and strength.

What is a biarticular muscle?

A muscle that crosses 2+ joints and has an action on each joint crossed.

What are the 3 types of isotonic contractions?

Concentric, eccentric, and isometric.

What is a countercurrent contraction?

Different things happen in opposing muscles. (For example, one muscle gets shorter, while the other gets longer.

What are the steps to analyzing the muscles used in a contraction?

1. How are the joints moving? 2. Is the movement concentric, eccentric, or isometric? 3. What muscles are involved to produce that movement?

What is the difference between stabilizing and neutralizing contractions?

Stabilizing contractions cause no movement, whereas neutralizing contractions produce a common movement.

What is an antagonist

The muscle that opposes the agonist.