A theory of physiological similarity in muscle-driven motion.

ABSTRACT: Muscle contraction is the primary source of all animal movement. I show that the maximum mechanical output of such contractions is determined by a characteristic dimensionless number, the "effective inertia," Γ, defined by a small set of mechanical, physiological, and anatomical properties of the interrogated musculoskeletal complex. Different musculoskeletal systems with equal Γ may be considered physiologically similar, in the sense that maximum performance involves equal fractions of the muscle's maximum strain rate, strain capacity, work, and power density. It can be demonstrated that there exists a unique, "optimal" musculoskeletal anatomy which enables a unit volume of muscle to deliver maximum work and power simultaneously, corresponding to Γ close to unity. Ext

SUBMITTER: Labonte D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10268211 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature