|
|
||||||||
AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 249, Issue 6 699-R703, Copyright © 1985 by American Physiological Society
ARTICLES |
S. L. Lindstedt, H. Hoppeler, K. M. Bard and H. A. Thronson Jr
All skeletal muscle can produce roughly the same maximal cross-sectional force; however, the power (energy X time-1) required to develop and maintain that force increases with increasing contraction velocity. Thus the rate of muscle tension development may be of primary importance in setting the energy demand of contracting muscle. We have estimated the rate of muscle shortening during terrestrial locomotion in mammals as a function of body mass. The rate of muscle shortening of the knee extensors is much faster in small than large mammals, scaling in proportion to the -0.23 power of mass. This exponent suggests a constant body size-independent relation among skeletal muscle: O2 consumption, mitochondria content, myosin ATPase activity, and in vivo shortening velocity.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
S. Medler Comparative trends in shortening velocity and force production in skeletal muscles Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2002; 283(2): R368 - R378. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Visit Other APS Journals Online |