A theory of contraction and a mathematical model of striated muscle.

Abstract A theory of contraction and an associated model of striated muscle are presented, based on the assumption that chemical energy is being converted into electrical energy which, in turn, is being converted into mechanical energy and heat. The model, set up for the frog sartorius muscle, is able to predict the “rowing” motion of the cross-bridges, the force-velocity relation, the tension-length curve, the isometric force, all energy rates (heat and work rates), the metabolic rates and all known features of the stretched, stimulated muscle (no ATP-splitting, stretching tension higher than isometric tension, etc.). It also offers an alternative explanation for Hill's thermoelastic effect. The significance of Hill's force-velocity equation in the context of this theory is also discussed in detail.

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