Fig. 2. Schematic representation of the stretching tests on the ascending limb of the force—length relationship of the cat soleus muscle. Muscles were stretched by 8 mm (approx. 20 % of optimal fibre length) at a speed of 4 mm s^-1 (approx. 10 % of optimal fibre length s^-1). For all tests, the muscle was activated for 8 s at 3T (3x the alpha-motoneuron threshold) starting at time 0 s. Steady-state total force enhancement following stretching was always determined 4.5 s after the end of the dynamic phase of contraction (i.e. at 7.5 s, see first arrowhead). Passive force enhancement following stretching was always determined 3 s after activation was stopped (i.e. at 11 s, see second arrowhead).