Abstract
It is now possible to obtain informative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra from living tissue such as muscle. A discussion is given of the various ways in which NMR can be applied to biological material, and particular emphasis is placed on some recent phosphorus NMR studies of muscle. These studies can provide detailed information about the chemical reactions that are associated with muscular contraction. Mention is made of some of the biochemical and medical applications of NMR that may become feasible in the next few years.