Which contraction occurs when the resistance is greater than the muscular force and the muscle lengthens while contracting?

• A. Isometric Contraction
• B. Concentric Contraction
• C. Eccentric Contraction
• D. Plyometric Exercise

Answer: (C)

When the external resistance is greater than what the muscle can lift, the muscle can still generate tension to control the movement, but it lengthens as it contracts. This is eccentric contraction. An example is slowly lowering a dumbbell during a biceps curl—the biceps produce force to control the descent, yet the muscle lengthens as the load pulls downward.

In contrast, an isometric contraction produces force without changing length (the joint doesn’t move), a concentric contraction shortens the muscle as it produces force to overcome the load, and plyometric exercise is a training method involving rapid stretching and shortening rather than a single contraction type.