Biomechanics: Muscle contractions
Biomechanics: Muscle contractions
OMM
OMM
Biomechanics: Muscle contractions
Components of the osteopathic structural examination
Fryette laws
Trigger points
Diagnostic skills
Introduction to muscle energy
Introduction to counterstrain
Introduction to facilitated positional release
Introduction to myofascial release
Introduction to high velocity low amplitude (HVLA)
Diagnosing cervical somatic dysfunction
Spurling test
Cervical muscle energy treatment
Cervical spine counterstrain
Cervical spine HVLA
Still technique for the cervical spine
Cervical spine facilitated positional release
Cervical spine myofascial release
Other cervical spine treatments
Diagnosing thoracic spine somatic dysfunction
Thoracic muscle energy treatment
Thoracic spine counterstrain
Thoracic spine HVLA
Still technique for the thoracic spine
Thoracic spine facilitated positional release
Thoracic spine myofascial release
Other thoracic spine treatments
Diagnosing lumbar spine somatic dysfunction
Lumbar muscle energy treatment
Lumbar spine counterstrain
Lumbar spine HVLA
Still technique for the lumbar spine
Lumbar spine facilitated positional release
Lumbar spine myofascial release
Other lumbar spine treatments
Diagnosing sacral somatic dysfunction
Sacrum muscle energy treatment
Sacrum counterstrain
Sacrum myofascial release
Diagnosing pelvis somatic dysfunction
Pelvis muscle energy treatment
Pelvis counterstrain
Other pelvis treatments
Diagnosing lower limb somatic dysfunction
Special tests for the lower limb
Lower limb muscle energy treatment
Lower limb counterstrain
Lower limb HVLA
Lower limb myofascial release
Other lower limb treatments
Diagnosing upper limb somatic dysfunction
Special tests for the upper limb
Upper limb muscle energy treatment
Upper limb counterstrain
Upper limb HVLA
Upper limb myofascial release
Other upper limb treatments
Diagnosing rib somatic dysfunction
Muscle energy for rib somatic dysfunction
Rib counterstrain
Rib HVLA
Other rib treatments
Viscerosomatics and facilitation
General visceral techniques
Chapman points
Primary respiratory mechanism
Cranial osteopathy: Cranial nerves
Diagnosing cranial somatic dysfunction
Cranial treatments
Treatment of the lymphatics
Notes
Introduction to OMM
Biomechanics: Muscle contractions
A contraction is defined simply as the generation of tension within a muscle fiber. Muscle fibers generate tension through actin and myosin cross-bridge cycling. Under tension, a muscle belly can either lengthen, shorten, or remain the same length. The names of contractions are based upon how the muscle belly length changes during this tension.
Isokinetic contractions are those in which there is a consistent rate of speed.
Isotonic contractions are those in which there is consistent tension as the muscle length changes. These can be either concentric (muscle shortening) or eccentric (muscle elongation).
Isometric contractions are those in which the length of the muscle does not change.
Isokinetic contractions are those in which there is a consistent rate of speed.
Isotonic contractions are those in which there is consistent tension as the muscle length changes. These can be either concentric (muscle shortening) or eccentric (muscle elongation).
Isometric contractions are those in which the length of the muscle does not change.
TYPES OF MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS | ||
| TYPE OF CONTRACTION | DEFINITION / CHARACTERISTICS | EXAMPLE |
| Isokinetic | When the velocity of the muscle contraction remains constant while muscle length changes | Riding a stationary bike |
| Concentric (isotonic) | When a muscle is activated and required to lift a load which is less than the maximum tension it can generate, resulting in muscle shortening | Raising a dumbbell with a bicep curl |
| Eccentric (isotonic) | When the external force on a muscle is greater than the maximal force it can generate, resulting in muscle lengthening | Walking down stairs |
| Isometric | When a muscle is activated at a constant length | Holding a shopping bag |
Figure 1. Riding a stationary bike, raising a dumbbell with a bicep curl, and holding a weight at a constant height are examples of isokinetic, isotonic, and isometric contractions, respectively.
Author: Arman Israelyan, OMS-III
Editor: Matt Lipinski, DO
Illustrator: Jillian Dunbar
Editor: Robyn Hughes, MScBMC