eccentric contraction

eccentric contraction,

a type of muscle contraction that occurs as the muscle fibers lengthen, such as when a weight is lowered through a range of motion. The contractile force generated by the muscle is weaker than an opposing force, which causes the muscle to stretch. Compare concentric contraction.

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contraction [kon-trak´shun]

a drawing together; a shortening or shrinkage.

Braxton Hicks c's see braxton hicks contractions.

carpopedal contraction the condition resulting from chronic shortening of the muscles of the upper and lower limbs including the fingers and toes, seen in tetany.

concentric contraction contraction resulting in shortening of a muscle, used to perform positive work or to accelerate a body part. It is metabolically more demanding than an eccentric contraction. Called also shortening contraction.

Dupuytren's contraction Dupuytren's contracture.

eccentric contraction contraction in the presence of a resistive force that results in elongation of a muscle, used to perform negative work or to decelerate a body part. It is less metabolically demanding than a concentric contraction but may cause disruption of associated connective tissue with delayed soreness or frank injury if it occurs in an unaccustomed manner. Called also lengthening contraction.

end-diastolic premature ventricular contraction a ventricular ectopic beat falling at the end of diastole; it may or may not be slightly premature and may or may not be a fusion beat.

haustral c's muscular contractions of the wall of the large intestine during which the haustra can be seen more easily; called also haustrations.

isometric contraction muscle contraction without appreciable shortening or change in distance between its origin and insertion.

isotonic contraction muscle contraction without appreciable change in the force of contraction; the distance between the origin and insertion becomes lessened.

lengthening contraction eccentric contraction.

postural contraction the state of muscular tension and contraction that just suffices to maintain the posture of the body.

segmental c's muscular contractions of the small intestine that serve to mix and transport chyme.

shortening contraction concentric contraction.

contraction stress test observation of the fetal heart rate in response to uterine contractions; see also fetal monitoring.

tetanic contraction (tonic contraction) physiological tetanus.

Volkmann's contraction Volkmann's contracture.

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eccentric contraction

Negative contraction Sports medicine Muscle contraction that occurs while the muscle is lengthening as it develops tension and contracts to control motion by an outside force. Cf Concentric contraction.