The Stretch Shortening Cycle (SSC) and Its Relation to Exercise

Nutritionist Certification
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The stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) refers to muscle action characterized by muscle lengthening and shortening during human movements such as jumping. The cycle is made up of the eccentric or stretch phase when force, power production, and work increase, causing muscles to lengthen and contract as movement is initiated from a static position. The amortization phase is the transitional phase where a time delay occurs between the tendons' energy loading and action starts. The last phase is the concentric phase, where one generates energy through explosive muscle action in a particular movement activity such as jumping or running (Gruber et al., 2019, p. 311).
The stretch-shortening cycle brings about various benefits to exercise. It enhances performance through increased speed and acceleration during an exercise. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, SSC can boast jump height by 20%. The performance is achieved by facilitating the quick shift from eccentric contraction to concentric contraction. When eng...