A Comparison of Shortening and Shortening Speed in Sartorius, Gastrocnemius and Rectus Abdominis Muscles of Uromastix hardwickii

A new method is used to record the actual shortening produced during the auxotonic activity of the sartorius (SAR), gastrocnemius (CAS) and rectus abdominis (RAB) muscles of a lizard Uromastix. The auxotonic twitch and tetanus records thus obtained were used for the first time to calculate the coefficient of linear shortening (COLS). This coefficient represent the relative Index between change in length $(\Delta\;L=L_0-L_1)$ and tension $({\Delta}P\;P_0-P_1)$ due to shortening at the steepest rising phase of the twitch and tetanus, recorded at resting length. In addition to this, maximum shortening $(S_{max})$ and auxotonic tensions were also determined at resting lengths of these muscles. The COLS was found to express the speed of shortening and auxotonic tensions are suggested to be of value to express the internal architecture of SAR, GAS & RAB muscles. The results are discussed in terms of contractile and elastic elements of the muscles alongwith the importance of shortening at resting lengths in skeletal muscles.