The thermal effects of shortening in tetanic contractions of frog muscle

In tetanic contractions during which shortening has occurred the total heat produced is greater than in isometric controls.2. The amount of this excess, measured after relaxation, is less than the shortening heat measured before relaxation. In other words relaxation heat is less after contractions with shortening.3. Only a small part of this reduction in relaxation heat can be explained by the reduced thermoelastic heat and work dissipation due to the lower tension maintained after shortening.4. In the few experiments in which the full tension is redeveloped after shortening the relaxation heat is still reduced.5. Decreases in the tension redeveloped after shortening, caused by using shorter tetani, or slower shortening, are not accompanied by decreases in the relaxation heat greater than can be accounted for by the assumed physical results of the lower tension.6. It is suggested that the reduction in relaxation heat after shortening is due to the occurrence of a reaction in which the exothermic process causing the shortening heat is reversed.