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Lab #9: Muscle Physiology: Background
Lab #9: Muscle Physiology: Background
Background
Sarcomere Thick Filaments
Overview of Skeletal Muscle Contraction
Tension
Peak Tension
Muscle Tension
Stimulus
½ Peak Tension
Stimulus
Latent Period
In this experiment we will take direct measurements from a recording of actual frog muscle contractions
using the LabScribe software used to record from the iWorx physiography system.
1. Go to the computer screen, and be sure the software (LabScribe) is running. The top tracing will
display the voltage for the electric stimulus applied to the muscle (Fig 9.10). The lower tracing
displays the tension generated by the muscle (here expressed as voltage, but normally this would be
converted into some measurement of force). The display time should be set to 20 sec, meaning that
the 20 seconds of recording are displayed on the screen at any given time. If it is not, change it to 20
sec by selecting the EDIT menu from the top, then PREFERENCES, then enter the desired display
time in the middle box of the top line.
2. Scroll the recording to the right using the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen. Eventually you will
see a series of recordings where the stimuli and associated contractions from the muscle become
progressively stronger. These are recordings of twitches obtained by shocking the muscle with
different voltages. Each stimulus is preceded by a marker bar that crosses both recordings. At the
bottom of the screen are labels for each marker that provide the voltage of the electrical stimulus
applied to the muscle in each case (See Fig 9.10).
Fig 9.10. A series of recordings of twitch contractions recorded with the LabScribe software. The upper tracing records the
stimuli applied to the muscle (also marked at the bottom of the screen). The lower tracing records the twitch contractions.
Markers between recordings appear as brown vertical lines demarcated by the respective stimulus intensities at the bottom of
the screen. Measurement markers appear as blue vertical lines. Note that there is and “x” on the measurement marker where
it intersects the tracing for each recording. The difference in contraction tension (here recorded in volts, V2-V1) is located
just above the lower tracing to the right. The difference in time between markers (here recorded in hours:minutes:seconds,
T2-T1) is located at the top left corner of the screen just below the menus.
4. Using the V2-V1 readout for the lower (Muscle) trace, we will measure the strength of muscle
contraction in response to different stimulus intensities. All measurements for this exercise will be
taken from the lower tracing. Using the pointer on the screen, left click and hold on one of the two
blue lines and drag it until it falls on the baseline area to the right of the recording somewhere
between the end of the twitch contraction and the marker for the next recording (See the example in
Fig. 9.10). Then left click on the other blue line and drag it until it falls at the peak of the twitch.
Record the strength of the contraction (voltage) from the V2-V1 readout for each of the twitches
(NOTE: record “0V” if there is no visible twitch recorded).
1. Reset the display time to 1 second. Under the EDIT menu at the top, select PREFERENCES, then
enter the display time (1 sec) in the middle box of the top line. Notice that this stretches out your
tracings so that the spike-like twitches seen earlier now appear as more curved waves (Fig 9.11).
Scroll through the tracing until you find a nice, robust twitch recording (e.g., at 1.5 or 2.0 V). Click
on the button at the top to bring up the two blue marker lines.
2. Measure the latent period of the twitch by placing one marker at the point on the top (stimulus)
recording right at the beginning of the square waveform and the other marker at the beginning of the
twitch on the lower tracing. Record the difference in time (T2-T1, top left corner). NOTE: The time
difference is given in hours:minutes:seconds. Record your measurements in milliseconds! WE
WILL DOCK POINTS FOR NOT EXPRESSING VALUES IN MILLISECONDS!!!
Fig 9.11. Position of measurement markers (in blue) for measurement of the latent period (left) and the contraction time
(right)
3. Measure the contraction time by placing one marker at the beginning of the twitch and the other at the
highest point in the twitch. Record the difference in time (T2-T1, top left corner).
4. To measure the ½ relaxation time (Fig 9.12), record the tension (V2-V1) of the contraction from the
onset of the contraction to the peak. Divide this number by 2 to calculate ½ peak tension. Then,
move the marker from the onset of the contraction and move it to the right of the peak until the V2-
V1 reading for the lower trace is as close to ½ peak tension as possible. Record the difference in time
(T2-T1, top left corner).
1. Reset the display time to 10 seconds. Under the EDIT menu at the top, select PREFERENCES, then
enter the display time (10 sec) in the middle box of the top line. Scroll the recording to the right
using the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen until you reach the “1 Hz” marker. The markers from
here onwards indicate the frequency (Hz = #events/sec) that a 2V stimulus is being applied to the
muscle (Fig 9.13).
2. Place one of your two blue measurement markers in the baseline area to the right of the contraction
series between the contraction recording and the brown reference marker for the next recording (see
Fig 9.13 and note the position of the measurement markers with the recording for 10 Hz). Move the
other measurement marker across the peaks in the contraction and note the change in tension (V2-V1)
that occurs. Try to locate the highest point of tension in the recording (usually near the end of the
contraction) and record this value.
Fig 9.13. Recordings of muscle contractions evoked by series of stimuli at different frequencies.
1. Place three adhesive disk electrodes in a row down the center of the inside of your lower arm.
6. Squeeze the dynamometer again, slightly harder than before. Notice that the increased strength of
contraction is accompanied by an increase in the amount of distortion in the EMG tracing. This is
because of motor unit recruitment—you are activating more motor units to increase the overall
strength of contraction in the muscle organs, thus creating a larger electrical change in the body
fluids. Repeat this procedure several times, increasing how strongly you squeeze each time (Fig
9.14).
7. Put down the dynamometer. Extend the fingers into a relaxed position. Flex each finger individually
for one second (generating an isotonic contraction) then extend the finger back to its original
position. Does the flexion of some fingers produce an EMG signal whereas flexion of others does
not?
8. Produce an isometric contraction by placing your extended fingers against the underside of the
countertop. Flex each finger against the countertop. Note that when the muscles contract an EMG
signal is produced, even if the muscle itself does not shorten.