What does a concentric muscle contraction involve?

A concentric muscle contraction is characterized by the shortening of a muscle as it generates force. This type of contraction typically occurs when a muscle is activated and its fibers contract, pulling the attached bones closer together. For instance, during a bicep curl, when the elbow flexes and the bicep muscle shortens to lift the weight, that is an example of concentric contraction.

This contrasts with other types of muscle contractions; for example, in an eccentric contraction, the muscle lengthens while still under tension, while isometric contractions involve tension without any change in muscle length, and relaxation refers to the state when the muscle is not contracting at all. Understanding concentric contractions is essential for developing effective training programs and recognizing how different exercises work specific muscle groups.