A purely mechanical theory of muscular contraction.
A simple mathematic model is constructed for the cross-bridge dynamics that govern muscular contraction, based on ideas introduced by Huxley and Simmons. The model differs from earlier ones in that it is based on distributions over time rather than displacement and uses a sharp disengagement rule. The constitutive functions of the model are set using classical experimental results and its predictions for the length-step experiment of Ford, Huxley, and Simmons are examined.
Williams
W O
WO
Department of Mathematics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890.
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*