Output details

Isometric force generated by locust skeletal muscle: responses to single stimuli

Significance of output:

Age-related decline in muscle strength and wasting are major socioeconomic and medical issues. To understand how muscles change it is first crucial to develop quantitative tools to describe their normal contraction properties. In this interdisciplinary study we developed a new model to describe accurately the contractile responses using an accessible insect skeletal muscle. The study represents the first step towards understanding how muscle responses change during age-related and health challenges. It has the potential to lead to the development of therapies to counteract changes in muscle properties (vibration and exercise), artificial muscle development and in bio-inspired control systems.