| Doctors and Physical Therapists classify the actions of | | | | therapists. They have been shown to be effective at |
| muscles as either concentric or eccentric contractions. | | | | treating tendonitis. Common example are Achilles |
| Concentric exercise is the type most people think of | | | | tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, Patellar tendonitis and Golfers |
| when asked about muscle movements. This is where | | | | Elbow. |
| the muscle shortens as it contracts. An example of | | | | In order to get the benefit from these types of |
| this would be the biceps when doing a chin up. The | | | | exercise it is important to be doing them correctly. |
| contraction bends the elbow, pulling the body up. | | | | Poor technique can not only mean the exercises are |
| Concentric movement is the type that occurs when | | | | ineffective, it could actually mean that you make it |
| the muscle is acting as the 'motor' to achieve a given | | | | worse. Some conditions are easier to treat than |
| movement. | | | | others. Achilles tendonitis can be addressed without |
| Eccentric contraction is the opposite to this. It is when | | | | any equipment using these movements. Eccentric |
| the muscle contracts as it lengthens. This occurs when | | | | exercise for Tennis Elbow is more difficult to achieve |
| the muscle acts as a brake, controlling a movement. | | | | and needs equipment - in this case a special rubber |
| Using the example of the chin up, the biceps act | | | | bar - to be performed. |
| eccentrically when they control the descent. Without | | | | This is why it is advisable to speak to a physical |
| this control, the body would essentially fall. We use | | | | therapist when you have an injury. They can assess |
| these contractions to make our movements smooth, | | | | and confirm a diagnosis before showing you how to |
| protect our joints, slow down and land from jumping. | | | | do the appropriate movements. |
| Eccentric exercises are very important to physical | | | | |