Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Force-length relation of in-vivo human rectus femoris muscles

  • Excitable Tissues and Central Nervous Physiology
  • Published:
Pflügers Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper the force-length relation of intact, in vivo, human rectus femoris musles were determined experimentally and compared to a corresponding theoretical force-length relation based on the cross-bridge theory. The experimental force-length relation has a much smaller peak force and a much wider range of muscle fiber lengths where non-zero forces were observed than the theoretical relation. Possible reasons for the differences between the two forcelength relations are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benedict JV, Walker LB, Harris EH (1968) Stress-strain characteristics of unembalmed human tendon. J Biomech 1:53–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon AM, Huxley AF, Julian FJ (1966a) Tension development in highly stretched vertebrate muscle fibres. J Physiol (Lond) 184:143–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon AM, Huxley AF, Julian FJ (1966b) The variation in isometric tension with sarcomere length in vertebrate muscle fibres. J Physiol (Lond) 184:170–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzog W (1985) Individual muscle force prediction in athletic movements, University of Calgary Printing, Calgary

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzog W (1988) The relation between the resultants moments at a joint and the moments measured by an isokinetic dynamometer. J Biomech 21:5–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzog W, ter Keurs HEDJ (1988) A method for the determination of the force-length relation of selected in-vivo human skeletal muscles. Pflügers Arch 411:637–641

    Google Scholar 

  • Huxley AF (1957) Muscle structure and theories of contraction. Prog Biophys Chem 7:255–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Steindler A (1977) Kinesiology of the human body. Thomas, Springfield, IL

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker SM, Randolph-Schrodt G (1973) I-segment lengths and thin filament periods in skeletal muscle fibers of the Rhesus monkey and the human. Anat Rec 178:63–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickiewicz TL, Roy RR, Powell PL, Edgerton VR (1983) Muscle architecture of the human lower limb. Clin Orthop 179:275–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkie DR (1968) Studies in biology, vol 11, Muscle. Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomechanics Laboratory, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Walter Herzog

  2. Department of Medical Physiology, The University of Calgary, Health Sciences Centre 1663, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Henk E. D. J. ter Keurs

Authors
  1. Walter Herzog
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Henk E. D. J. ter Keurs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Herzog, W., ter Keurs, H.E.D.J. Force-length relation of in-vivo human rectus femoris muscles. Pflugers Arch. 411, 642–647 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00580860

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00580860

Key words

Search

Navigation