PROPERTIES OF MOTOR UNITS IN A HOMOGENEOUS RED MUSCLE (SOLEUS) OF THE CAT

Abstract
The properties of 97 motor units in the soleus muscle of the cat were investigated by isolating and stimulating filaments of ventral roots containing only 1 soleus axon. The conduction velocities of the axons innervating these units ranged from 50.7-81.3 m/sec. The maximal tetanic tensions produced by single units ranged from 3.2-40.4 g, with a mean of 14.8 g. The distribution of unit tensions resembled a regression curve, with about 1/3 of all units falling into the 5-10 g group and decreasing numbers of units in each 5 g group from 10-40 g. The contraction-times ranged from 58-193 msec, with a peak between 80-90 msec. The per cent of maximal tension developed at rates of 5, 10, 20 and 50/sec. was compiled for all units and represented graphically. A relation between the maximum tetanic tension of a unit and the conduction velocity (or diameter) of its axon was apparent: slowly conducting fibers supplied small motor units and rapidly conducting fibers large units.