A compliant tendon increases fatigue resistance and net efficiency during fatiguing cyclic contractions of mouse soleus muscle

Lichtwark, G. A. and Barclay, C. J. (2012) A compliant tendon increases fatigue resistance and net efficiency during fatiguing cyclic contractions of mouse soleus muscle. Acta Physiologica, 204 4: 533-543.


Author Lichtwark, G. A.
Barclay, C. J.
Title A compliant tendon increases fatigue resistance and net efficiency during fatiguing cyclic contractions of mouse soleus muscle
Journal name Acta Physiologica  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012-04
Sub-type Article
Year available 2011
DOI 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2011.02361.x
Volume number 204
Issue number 4
ISSN 1748-1708; 1748-1716
Start page 533
End page 543
Total pages 11
Place of publication Oxford, United Kingdom
Publisher Wiley-Blackwell Publishing
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Formatted abstract Aim: As muscles fatigue, their ability to generate mechanical work decreases as a result of decreased force generation and in cyclic activity, slower the relaxation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a compliant tendon, connected in series with a muscle, would increase sustained work output during cyclic contractions.
Methods: Experiments were performed in vitro (37 °C) using fibre bundles from mouse soleus muscles (n = 7). Each muscle performed two series of 40 brief contractions at a contraction frequency of 2 Hz and with a sinusoidal length change. One series was performed using the fibre bundle only and one with the fibre bundle and a compliant strip of latex connected between the muscle and the force recording apparatus.
Results: When contracting with the latex strip, muscle work output was better maintained during the second half of the protocol than when performed without the latex, overall energy cost was reduced and mechanical efficiency was increased.
Conclusion: The provision of a compliant tendon analogue increased the level of work output that could be sustained during cyclic contractions and reduced energy expenditure. It is proposed that both metabolic and mechanical consequences of the compliant tendon contribute to the improved performance.
Keyword Efficiency
Muscle fatigue
Power output
Relaxation
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Article first published online: 20 OCT 2011

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Official 2013 Collection
School of Human Movement Studies Publications
 
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