Neuromuscular compartments of cat lateral gastrocnemius produce different torques about the ankle joint

The primary purpose of this study was to establish whether the neuromuscular compartments of cat lateral gastrocnemius produce different mechanical actions on the skeletal system, by determining the contributions made by these compartments to the torques produced about the ankle joint. It was postulated that neuromuscular compartments might represent output elements of the spinal circuits. If so, they should produce unique mechanical actions. Isometric torques about the center of the ankle joint produced by the neuromuscular compartments of the cat lateral gastrocnemius were measured with a multiaxis force-moment sensor connected to the plantar surface of the foot. Individual compartment torques were elicited by activation of the primary compartment branches of the lateral gastrocnemius nerve. The magnitude of the individual torque components, and thus of the resultant torque, was significantly different between compartments. In three of the four lateral gastrocnemius compartments, significantly different torque trajectories were noted. The results, together with those from previous studies demonstrating that compartments can be activated in a task-dependent manner, suggest that neuromuscular compartments represent anatomical substrates that can be used by the nervous system for regulating movement.