The stretch shortening cycle is the cycle that takes place during muscle contractions. It’s a concept that I am fascinated with and one that while I’m coaching or training – I’m thinking about. Once you understand the stretch shortening cycle you build more of an awareness of how muscles function during exercise.
There are three main phases of the stretch shortening cycle: concentric, isometric, and eccentric
Concentric: muscle shorten
Eccentric: muscle lengthen
Isometric: muscle contraction cause by no movement
