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Fig. 9 | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation

Fig. 9

From: Skeletal muscle mechanics: questions, problems and possible solutions

Fig. 9

Scaled representation of a mid-longitudinal section of a cat medial gastrocnemius muscles obtained through chemical fixation. Note the pennate architecture of the muscle, the long free tendon, and the long medial and lateral aponeuroses. Using van Ingen Schenau’s definition of series elasticity (subtract fascicle length from the total muscle tendon unit length) the muscle’s series elasticity would include – and in fact be dominated – by the aponeuroses. However, since aponeuroses are clearly not in series mechanically with the tendon and/or the muscle belly, this assumption leads to erroneous results and inappropriate interpretations of the role of storage and release of elastic energy in muscle contraction (as shall be shown below)

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