Key result
In permeabilized rabbit psoas muscle fibers, a prior triangular length change reduced the stiffness of the muscle during the initial phase of a subsequent stretch, demonstrating a thixotropic effect.
This preclinical study demonstrates a thixotropic effect in contracting skeletal muscle, where prior movement temporarily reduces the number of attached cross-bridges and initial tension response to stretch.
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Preclinical fiber data; leaves open whether thixotropy shapes human skeletal or cardiac muscle responses in vivo.
Campbell et al. (2000) studied this question. Paired ramp stretches and releases vs. Initial stretch was evaluated on Tension response to stretch (stiffness during initial phase of lengthening). In permeabilized rabbit psoas muscle fibers, a prior triangular length change reduced the stiffness of the muscle during the initial phase of a subsequent stretch, demonstrating a thixotropic effect.
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