Types of muscle contraction (isometric, concentric and eccentric)
I can explain how the different types of muscle contraction are used in various sporting scenarios.
Types of muscle contraction (isometric, concentric and eccentric)
I can explain how the different types of muscle contraction are used in various sporting scenarios.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There are two main types of muscle contraction: isotonic (moving) and isometric (static).
- When the body is in a fixed position, but the muscle is contracting, it is known as an isometric (static) contraction.
- Isotonic concentric contraction is the shortening of a muscle under tension.
- Isotonic eccentric contraction is the lengthening of a muscle under tension
Keywords
Isotonic - muscle contraction that either shortens (concentric) or lengthens (eccentric)
Isometric - muscle contraction where the length of the muscle does not alter. The contraction is constant.
Concentric - shortening of a muscle when it contracts
Eccentric - lengthening of a muscle when it contracts
Common misconception
A muscle will always change length when it contracts.
A muscle has pulls on a bone to create movement. However, occasionally, if the movement is static, the muscle is still contracting and under tension but not changing length. This is known as isometric muscle contraction.
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Types of muscle contraction (isometric, concentric and eccentric), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Types of muscle contraction (isometric, concentric and eccentric), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Anatomy and physiology: the musculoskeletal system unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Recording device. Sporting images specifically showing limb movement.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
upwards phase of a sit up
extending the knee to kick a ball
flexion of the knee when running
flexion of the elbow in the downward phase of a press up
Exit quiz
6 Questions
concentric
eccentric
isometric
triceps during the upwards phase of a press up
triceps during the downwards phase of a press up
quadriceps during a wall sit