title: Force-length properties and functional demands of cat gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure isometric force-length properties of cat soleus, gastrocnemius and plantaris muscle-tendon units, and to relate these properties to the functional demands of these muscles during everyday locomotor activities. Isometric force-length properties were determined using an in situ preparation, where forces were measured using buckle-type tendon transducers, and muscle-tendon unit lengths were quantified through ankle and knee joint configurations. Functional demands of the muscles were assessed using direct muscle force measurements in freely moving animals. Force-length properties and functional demands were determined for soleus, gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles simultaneously in each animal. The results suggest that isometric force-length properties of cat soleus, gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles, as well as the region of the force-length relation that is used during everyday locomotor tasks, match the functional demands.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Renaud
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bornemisza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007596:Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000502:physiology