What type of muscle contraction involves controlled lengthening of the muscle?

The correct answer describes an eccentric contraction, which is a specific type of muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens while generating force. This occurs when a muscle is under tension as it is being stretched, typically during movements that involve lowering a load or resisting gravity.

During eccentric contractions, the muscle fibers elongate, which can occur in various activities such as lowering a weight after lifting it, or when going downhill. This type of contraction is crucial in many physical activities, especially in sports, as it helps to control movements, absorb shock, and prevent injuries by allowing gradual deceleration of the body or objects.

In contrast, concentric contraction involves the muscle shortening as it generates force, which is what happens when curling a weight toward your shoulder. Isometric contractions occur when muscle tension is generated without any change in muscle length, typically during static holds. Static contraction is often used interchangeably with isometric contraction, focusing more on the duration of tension without movement. However, it does not involve the lengthening process characteristic of eccentric contractions.