Series Elasticity in Cat Papillary Muscle

Abstract

Summary

After segmental compression damage of 5 cat papillary muscles in vitro, resting length shortened, contractility diminished, and the series elasticity (SE) became slightly stiffer as determined by isotonic quick release methods. The marked reduction in rate of force development was not due to an overly compliant SE, therefore, but rather to a decrease in contractile element (CE) velocity. A combination of direct damage to the CE; and the fact that the muscle contracted from a shorter initial length contributed to the reduction in both the contractile element velocity and the rate of tension development.