Muscle Contractions

Question 1

Maximum Contraction

Answer 1

For a maximum contraction (throwing a ball as far as you can ) - ALL motor units will be activated and
contract MAXIMALLY.

Question 2

Sub-Maximal Contraction

Answer 2

For a sub-maximal contraction (a short throw ) - only SOME of the motor units will be activated and
contract MAXIMALLY.

Question 3

Isoinertial Contraction

Answer 3

Muscle action where the load or resistance against the muscle is constant throughout the motion.

Question 4

Concentric Contraction

Answer 4

Muscle length decrease

Question 5

Eccentric contraction

Answer 5

Muscle length increase

Question 6

Isometric Contraction

Answer 6

The muscle length remains unchanged (gripping a racquet handle)

Question 7

Isokinetic contraction

Answer 7

The resistance changes according to joint angle (requires special machines like the cybex & nautilus which allows
maximum contractions through the full range of movement).