Bend your arm at the elbow like Popeye, and see the muscle bulge (contract), now relax your arm...
What Is The Difference Between A Contracted Muscle And A Relaxed Muscle?
A contracted mussel is a mussel that is tight. A relaxed one is soft. Kind of like when you are doing a sit up. When you are going up your stomach is contracting. And when you re laying down it is relaxed.