Small step analysis Striated muscle responds to a sudden length increase with a force response that has classically been described by four phases (1–4). In phase 1, force rises instantaneously as atta
Length changes of muscle fibers have previously been shown to result in a temporary reduction in fiber stiffness that is referred to as thixotropy. Understanding the mechanism of this thixotropy is im
Recent studies have demonstrated that muscle force is not determined solely by activation under dynamic conditions, and that length history has an important role in determining dynamic muscle force. Y
Pt - peak twitch tension; TPT - time to peak twitch tension; ½ RT - one-half relaxation time; dPt/dt - maximum rate of force development during a twitch contraction. *P<0.05 vs. vehicle control, Stude