stretch shortening cycle

noun

A muscle action where a rapid eccentric contraction (lengthening under tension) is immediately followed by a forceful concentric contraction (shortening), enhancing power output by using stored elastic energy and neural reflexes, like in jumping, sprinting, and throwing.

Similar
SSC
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Meanings

nounstretch shortening cycle (plural stretch shortening cycles)

plural stretch shortening cycles

  1. anatomyA muscle action where a rapid eccentric contraction (lengthening under tension) is immediately followed by a forceful concentric contraction (shortening), enhancing power output by using stored elastic energy and neural reflexes, like in jumping, sprinting, and throwing.

    Synonyms: SSC

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA muscle action where a rapid eccentric contraction (lengthening under tension) is immediately followed by a forceful concentric contraction (shortening), enhancing power output by using stored elastic energy and neural reflexes, like in jumping, sprinting, and throwing.

Similar
SSC
Cite this entry
APA

stretch shortening cycle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stretch%20shortening%20cycle

MLA

“stretch shortening cycle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stretch%20shortening%20cycle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “stretch shortening cycle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stretch%20shortening%20cycle.

Source: stretch shortening cycle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.