When performing a military press (overhead), as the weight is being lowered back down to the starting position, what muscle action is being performed?
a. concentric
b. eccentric
c. dorsimetric
d. isometric
Answer: b. eccentric
When performing a military press, as the weight is being lowered back down to the starting position, this is the eccentric action of the muscle. Eccentric action is characterized by the muscle exerting less force than that which is placed upon it. In laymen's terms, this is known as the "negative" of the muscle action.