Role of tendon properties on the dynamic performance of different isometric muscles.

The effect of the tendon's viscoelastic stiffness on the dynamic performance of muscles with different architecture was determined using the cat's medial gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus. Dynamic response models were derived under sinusoidal contraction-relaxation in the range of 0.4-6.0 Hz and between 20 and 80% of the muscles' maximal isometric tension, manipulated by orderly recruitment-derecruitment of motor units together with firing rate increase-decrease. It was shown that, for isometric contractions at the muscle's optimum length, the dynamic response of the muscles was not significantly different before and after dissection of the tendon. Therefore the conclusion that under these conditions the tendon acts like a stiff force transmitter without significantly modifying the muscle's performance was confirmed and extended to muscles with different architecture.