What type of tension is produced in muscle and connective tissue due to external forces?

The correct answer is passive tension. This refers to the tension generated in muscle and connective tissue as a response to external forces acting upon them, without the muscle actively contracting. Passive tension arises when an external load stretches the muscle and surrounding connective tissues, such as tendons and fascia, beyond their resting length.

During this stretching, the elastic properties of the connective tissues create tension, which is a fundamental aspect of how muscles can be loaded and how they respond to external forces. Unlike active tension, which is generated directly through muscle contractions, passive tension occurs when the muscle is lengthened due to an external force rather than by voluntary muscle action.

In a strength training context, understanding passive tension is crucial as it influences how muscles and joints respond to various types of resistance. For example, in exercises like bench presses or deadlifts, the initial phase when the weight is loaded onto the muscle involves passive tension before any active contraction occurs. This concept is important for athletes and trainers in formulating effective training programs and injury prevention strategies.

The other types of tension, such as active tension, isometric tension, and dynamic tension, involve muscle contractions or changes in muscle length during active movement, which differentiates them from the passive responses driven by external forces