Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Isometric and Eccentric Force Generation Assessment of Skeletal Muscles Isolated from Murine Models of Muscular Dystrophies
Published on: January 31, 2013
[Eccentric muscular contraction: implications in treatment of athletes]
1Clinique de médecine physique et réadaptation Napoléon, allées de Christus, 40990 Saint-Paul-Lès-Dax, France.
Objectives:
To review the research on the effects and indications of eccentric muscular contraction in the athlete.
Methods:
We searched the Medline database using the key words eccentric and negative work for reports of eccentric muscular contraction published from 1993 to 2004.
Results:
The physiologic features of eccentric contraction remain unknown but significantly differ from concentric contraction. Eccentric contraction has a specific effect: during sports practice, it permits the muscular and tendinous complex to support strain and strengthens the muscular action of articular stabilization. But eccentric contraction produces injuries: delayed-onset muscle soreness, and muscle rupture and tendinous injuries such as luxation, rupture, and tendinitis.
Conclusion:
Treatment and prevention must have controlled protocols. In therapy, eccentric contraction must be realized at progressive speeds and resistances. Prevention of tendinous injury necessitates quantifying eccentric activity during training.
Related Concept Videos
Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions occur when a muscle changes length while the...
Motor Unit Stimulation
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscles
When an action potential...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...

