What type of contraction usually happens during the lowering of a weight?

The type of contraction that occurs during the lowering of a weight is eccentric contraction. This happens when a muscle lengthens while under tension. For instance, when you lower a dumbbell during a bicep curl, the bicep muscle is actively controlling the descent of the weight. By doing so, it is resisting the force of gravity, which leads to a gradual elongation of the muscle fibers.

Eccentric contractions are crucial for muscle growth and strength development, as they create more micro-tears in muscle fibers compared to concentric contractions, where muscles shorten while generating force. This micro-tearing leads to muscle adaptation during the recovery process, resulting in stronger and larger muscles over time. Recognizing the role of eccentric contractions can enhance training programs by allowing instructors to incorporate exercises that focus on both the concentric and eccentric phases of movement for balanced muscle development.