- A Eccentric muscle contraction is sometimes thought to usually produce considerably less overall force than an equivalent concentric contraction performed under the exact same loading conditions according to standard textbooks in general practice as frequently described
- B Eccentric: muscle produces force while lengthening (e.g., lowering a weight); produces MORE force than concentric with less metabolic cost; causes delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) due to sarcomere disruption, inflammation, and subsequent repair/strengthening
- C Eccentric contraction is sometimes thought to occur mainly within specialized cardiac muscle tissue itself, rarely within ordinary skeletal muscle fibres generally in most textbook accounts during normal conditions as generally observed in typical laboratory settings
- D DOMS soreness following intense exercise is sometimes thought to be caused mainly by residual lactic acid that lingers persistently within the affected muscle fibre tissue under usual circumstances according to most researchers in the majority of cases studied
Correct answer: B. Eccentric: muscle produces force while lengthening (e.g., lowering a weight); produces MORE force than concentric with less metabolic cost; causes delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) due to sarcomere disruption, inflammation, and subsequent repair/strengthening
Explanation: Eccentric contraction (lengthening under load) produces greater force than concentric at same activation because non-uniform sarcomere mechanics cause some overstretched sarcomeres to snap. This mechanical disruption of Z discs → inflammatory response → DOMS (peaks 24-48h post-exercise) → repair with stronger, hypertrophied muscle. DOMS is NOT caused by lactic acid (which clears within an hour).
Concept context
Types of movement, muscle contraction, skeletal system, joints, and disorders. Important for Class 11 and NEET.