Elastic components of cat papillary muscle

Abstract

The isotonic quick-release method was used to study the elastic components of cat papillary muscle. The data were analyzed in terms of two different conceptual models. The results suggest the parallel elastic component is parallel to both the contractile element and the series elastic component (model I), rather than parallel only to the contractile element (model II). Equations for calculating the force and the velocity of shortening of the contractile element for either model are presented.