Helena Frye
When it comes to basketball, players need to be able to produce force during jumps and landings. This is where the understanding of concentric and eccentric motions comes into play. Concentric contractions are the upward phase of a movement, where muscle tension increases and muscle fibres shorten and contract, generating power, speed and strength. Eccentric contractions are the downward phase, where muscles lengthen under tension, creating more muscle tension and micro-damage, which promotes muscle growth. So, is a basketball pass a concentric or eccentric motion?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Concentric: The "up" portion of a movement; the muscle contracts and shortens. Eccentric: The "lowering" portion of a movement; the muscle lengthens under tension. |
| Muscle Behaviour | Concentric: Muscle tension rises to meet resistance, then remains stable as the muscle shortens. Eccentric: Muscle lengthens under tension, absorbing energy from an external load. |
| Examples | Concentric: Standing up out of a squat, pulling the bar from the ground on a deadlift, pushing down in a triceps pushdown. Eccentric: Lowering the weight back to the floor in a deadlift, the descent of a squat, lowering the weight in a bench press. |
| Basketball Application | Concentric: Producing force for jumping. Eccentric: Absorbing force during landings. |
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What You'll Learn
The upward motion of a basketball pass
Concentric movements are generally defined as the "up" or "lift" portion of an exercise, where the muscle tension increases and the muscle fibres shorten and contract. For example, the upward motion of a pull-up or the pressing motion of a bench press are both concentric movements.
In the context of a basketball pass, the concentric movement occurs when the passer's arm bends at the elbow, and the ball is pushed upwards and away from the passer. This movement involves the contraction of the triceps brachii muscle, which shortens as the ball is pushed upwards.
The eccentric movement, on the other hand, is the "lowering" or "downward" portion of an exercise, where the muscle lengthens under tension. In the case of a basketball pass, the eccentric movement occurs as the passer's arm returns to its original position after releasing the ball. The triceps brachii muscle lengthens during this downward motion, providing some force against gravity to control the movement of the arm.
Understanding the concentric and eccentric phases of a basketball pass can be beneficial for improving passing technique and strength training. By focusing on both the upward and downward motions of the pass, players can develop greater power, speed, and strength in their passing. Additionally, paying attention to the eccentric portion of the movement can help reduce the risk of injury and improve overall passing performance.
Overall, the upward motion of a basketball pass is a concentric movement, involving the contraction and shortening of the triceps brachii muscle as the ball is pushed upwards. By understanding and training both the concentric and eccentric phases of a basketball pass, players can improve their passing skills and overall athletic performance.
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The downward motion of a basketball pass
During the eccentric phase, the muscle lengthens as the force of the contraction is less than the force acting upon it. This means that the muscle can lengthen in a controlled manner. An example of an eccentric movement is lowering from a pull-up bar slowly. Here, the muscles in the arms are slowly lengthening.
The opposite of an eccentric movement is a concentric movement. Concentric movement is the shortening of a muscle as it contracts. This is the lifting phase of a movement, where the prime mover and synergist muscles shorten and contract, creating joint actions that result in movement against the force of gravity. An example of a concentric movement is the upward motion of a pull-up, where the athlete pulls up their entire body weight.
Basketball players can benefit from training both their eccentric and concentric movements. While the upward (concentric) phase demands more energy, the downward (eccentric) phase creates more muscle tension and micro-damage, which promotes muscle growth. Eccentric contractions also generate greater force, which can help athletes produce force during landings and reduce the risk of injury.
Therefore, understanding the eccentric and concentric phases of movement is crucial for athletes and trainers to plan effective training sessions and develop strength and resilience in specific muscle groups.
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Concentric contractions
A basketball pass involves a complex set of movements, and it can be analysed in terms of muscle contractions. When passing a basketball, the arm moves in a variety of ways, including concentric and eccentric motions. Concentric contractions are a type of muscle activation that causes tension on the muscle as it shortens. This is the most common type of muscle contraction and is essential for building muscle mass and strength.
During a concentric contraction, the muscle tension rises to meet the resistance and then remains stable as the muscle shortens. This contraction occurs throughout the length of the muscle, generating force and causing the muscle to shorten and the angle of the joint to change. For example, in a bicep curl, the elbow bends as the hand moves towards the shoulder, and the bicep muscle shortens and contracts. Similarly, in a basketball pass, the arm undergoes a concentric contraction as the ball is pushed forward, causing the elbow to bend and the angle of the joint to change.
However, it is important to note that concentric contractions alone may not produce optimal results. Combining concentric and eccentric contractions can lead to greater strength and muscle gains. Additionally, repeated concentric contractions can lead to joint strain and an increased risk of injury, especially if proper form is not maintained during the movement. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate a variety of exercises and movements that include both concentric and eccentric contractions to promote overall fitness and reduce the risk of injury.
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Eccentric contractions
An eccentric contraction is a type of muscle contraction in which the muscle-tendon complex lengthens while contracting. Eccentric training involves using target muscles to control weight as it moves in a downward motion. Eccentric exercises are commonly performed against a constant external load (isotonic) or at a constant velocity (isokinetic).
During an eccentric contraction, the muscle absorbs energy from an external load, resulting in unique adaptations and potential for muscle strengthening. Eccentric contractions are further characterised by the production of muscle force while the muscle-tendon system lengthens, which can lead to micro lesions and subsequent regeneration of the muscle-tendon system. This type of contraction is utilised in functional rehabilitation and resistance training to enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy. Eccentric training has been shown to significantly improve muscle strength, with muscles lengthening under tension becoming stronger, which can enhance overall physical performance.
Eccentric exercises are particularly beneficial for casual and high-performance athletes, the elderly, and patients looking to rehabilitate certain muscles and tendons. Eccentric training can be used as a form of rehabilitation for sports injuries, as well as an alternative form of exercise for those with neurological disorders, COPD, cardiopulmonary disorders, and cancer. It is also a valuable tool for injury prevention, with its efficacy in aiding recovery from various musculoskeletal conditions.
Examples of eccentric exercises include the lowering phase of a biceps curl, eccentric push-ups, and lowering from a pull-up bar slowly. These exercises emphasise the controlled lowering phase, building strength as the body can generate more force during the downward phase (eccentric contraction) than the upward phase (concentric contraction).
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The role of agonist and synergist muscles
A basketball pass involves both concentric and eccentric motions. The concentric motion occurs when you lift your arm to throw the ball, while the eccentric motion occurs as you bring your arm down after releasing the ball. This can be further understood by examining the role of agonist and synergist muscles during these movements.
Synergist muscles work in conjunction with agonist muscles to provide additional force and stability during the concentric phase. They assist the agonist muscles in performing the desired movement by contracting simultaneously. For instance, the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles act as synergists during the concentric phase of a basketball pass, helping to stabilise the shoulder joint and generate the necessary force for throwing the ball.
During the eccentric phase of a basketball pass, the role of agonist and synergist muscles shifts. As the arm moves downward after releasing the ball, the agonist muscles lengthen under control to slow down the movement and prevent injury. This lengthening action is essential for absorbing the force generated during the concentric phase and helps reduce the impact on the joints. For example, the triceps brachii, which is the antagonist muscle to the biceps brachii, lengthens eccentrically during the downward motion of a basketball pass.
Synergist muscles also play a crucial role during the eccentric phase by helping to control the lengthening and lowering of the arm. They work in coordination with the agonist muscles to ensure a smooth and stable descent of the arm. This controlled lengthening under tension helps build stronger and more resilient muscle tissue. Overall, understanding the roles of agonist and synergist muscles during the concentric and eccentric phases of a basketball pass can help improve performance, increase strength, and reduce the risk of injury.
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Frequently asked questions
Concentric motion is the upward phase of an exercise where the muscle tension increases and the muscle fibres shorten and contract, against the force of gravity.
Eccentric motion is the downward phase of an exercise where the muscle lengthens under tension.
A basketball pass involves both concentric and eccentric motions. The concentric motion occurs when the ball is pushed or thrown, while the eccentric motion occurs as the arm lowers back down.
Understanding the concentric and eccentric phases of movement can help athletes improve their performance and reduce the risk of injury. For example, focusing on eccentric training can help basketball players absorb force better when landing from a jump.
Athletes can train the concentric and eccentric motions separately or together to improve their strength and performance. For example, they can perform exercises such as bicep curls or squats, paying attention to the upward (concentric) and downward (eccentric) phases.
