Muscle-tendon complex properties of small mammals

• Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Tobias Siebert
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Biochemie und Physiologie der Tiere
• Förderung: Förderung von 2012 bis 2014
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 233614637

Muscles have different functions during locomotion (e.g. motor, brake, spring). This study investigates whether there are adaptions in muscle properties according to these functions. For this purpose, the two rat muscles - M. gastrocnemius (Caput mediale) and M. quadriceps femoris (Vastus lateralis) - are compared experimentally as well as in simulations of muscle contractions. The latter requires a muscle model which is able to predict the history-dependence of muscle force, namely force-depression after muscle shortening and force-enhancement after muscle stretch. In the previous funding period we developed a physiologically motivated model which for the first time realistically predicts lengthening-induced force enhancement. In this last funding period (one year) it is necessary to enhance the existing muscle model with regard to shortening-induced force depression. Using the enhanced muscle model we will perform simulations of muscle contractions to compare the muscles with respect to their functions (motor, brake, spring) during locomotion. Upon conclusion of the project a better understanding of functional muscle adaptations on the level of muscle properties will be achieved.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen