Optimal shortening velocities for in situ power production of rat soleus and plantaris muscles

Force-velocity (FV) relationships have been used previously to calculate maximal power production and to identify an optimal velocity of shortening (Vopt-iv) to produce such power in skeletal muscle. The cyclical nature of muscle position during locomotion for muscles such as the soleus and plantaris is such that either constant force or velocity is rarely attained. In the present study, the work loop technique, a technique developed to measure maximal attainable power output from muscles undergoing cyclic length changes, was undertaken to determine whether simulating in vivo function alters the power-velocity relationship of the soleus and plantaris and, in particular, the velocity of shortening that produces maximal power (Vopt-w1). FV relationships were determined for both soleus (n = 4) and plantaris (n = 4) muscles in situ from adult female Sprague-Dawley rats by measuring shortening velocities during afterloaded isotonic contractions. The velocity that produced maximal power using FV relationships, Vopt-fv, was 54.6 +/- 0.7 mm/s for the plantaris vs. 20.2 +/- 1.2 mm/s for the soleus. Then, the work loop technique was employed to measure net power from these same muscles at multiple cycling frequencies (1.5 to 4.0 Hz for the soleus; 4.0 to 8.0 Hz for the plantaris). Multiple power-velocity curves were generated (one at each cycle frequency) by varying the strain (1-8 mm). Thus, at each cycle frequency, Vopt-w1 could be identified. For both the plantaris and soleus, Vopt-w1 at each cycle frequency was not different from their respective Vopt-fv value. Thus both fast and slow skeletal muscles have inherent optimal shortening velocities, identifiable with FV relationships, that dictate their respective maximal attainable mechanical power production using the work loop technique.