Series elastic component of mammalian skeletal muscle

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Abstract
A method of modifying the Wilkie quick-release technique of determining the compliance of the series elastic component of mammalian muscle is described. This modification eliminates the effect of muscle and lever system mass by adding an additional factor related to the shortening of the contractile component. The compliance of the series elastic component of the rat gracilis anticus muscle varies from 1.1 x 10-6 cm/dyne at maximum isometric tetanic tension to 17.6 x 10-6 cm/dyne at zero tension. The extension of this component was 0.07 rest length at maximum isometric tetanic tension. The damping of the series elastic component was calculated from an energy balance technique to be typically 300 dyne/cm per sec. The results of this study are compared with those obtained from other striated muscles.