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First published online June 27, 2008
Journal of Experimental Biology 211, 2336-2345 (2008)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2008
doi: 10.1242/jeb.017640

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Scaling of muscle architecture and fiber types in the rat hindlimb

Carolyn M. Eng¹, Laura H. Smallwood¹, Maria Pia Rainiero², Michele Lahey¹, Samuel R. Ward² and Richard L. Lieber^1,*

¹ Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California and Veterans Administration Medical Centers, San Diego, CA, USA
² Department of Radiology, University of California and Veterans Administration Medical Centers, San Diego, CA, USA

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: rlieber{at}ucsd.edu)

Accepted 30 April 2008

The functional capacity of a muscle is determined by its architecture and metabolic properties. Although extensive analyses of muscle architecture and fiber type have been completed in a large number of muscles in numerous species, there have been few studies that have looked at the interrelationship of these functional parameters among muscles of a single species. Nor have the architectural properties of individual muscles been compared across species to understand scaling. This study examined muscle architecture and fiber type in the rat (Rattus norvegicus) hindlimb to examine each muscle's functional specialization. Discriminant analysis demonstrated that architectural properties are a greater predictor of muscle function (as defined by primary joint action and anti-gravity or non anti-gravity role) than fiber type. Architectural properties were not strictly aligned with fiber type, but when muscles were grouped according to anti-gravity versus non-anti-gravity function there was evidence of functional specialization. Specifically, anti-gravity muscles had a larger percentage of slow fiber type and increased muscle physiological cross-sectional area. Incongruities between a muscle's architecture and fiber type may reflect the variability of functional requirements on single muscles, especially those that cross multiple joints. Additionally, discriminant analysis and scaling of architectural variables in the hindlimb across several mammalian species was used to explore whether any functional patterns could be elucidated within single muscles or across muscle groups. Several muscles deviated from previously described muscle architecture scaling rules and there was large variability within functional groups in how muscles should be scaled with body size. This implies that functional demands placed on muscles across species should be examined on the single muscle level.

Key words: muscle fiber type, muscle architecture, muscle mechanics, scaling

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