Fig. 5. Total shortening velocity (A) and strain (B) before and after peak gape in individuals, showing individual means ± S.E.M. Shortening velocity is expressed as absolute values (FL s^–1). An asterisk indicates a significant difference between strain or shortening velocity before and after peak gape (P<0.05). Shortening velocity always increased after peak gape, though the result was not significant in one individual. Strain is presented as percent of total strain. In three individuals the sternohyoideus generated significantly more strain after peak gape, while in the two others the levels were insignificantly different. The two individuals in whom less than 40% fascicle strain occurred before peak gape are the same two that showed isometric contraction or slight lengthening during fast jaw opening.