In situ measurements of skeletal muscle power output using new capacitive strain gauge

Experiments are described in which a fatigue index is determined for the latissimus dorsi muscle of sheep in situ, using capacitive strain gauges. Parallel experiments for invasive and non-invasive measurements are conducted, measuring global contraction and relaxation rates and shortening duration for paced muscle. The results show that, above one pulse per burst (5 V, 100 microseconds pulsewidth), contraction rates (62 +/- 11 mm s-1) and relaxation rates (50 +/- 7 mm s-1) are constant for unloaded muscle. For one animal, fatigue testing with a 2.5 kg load at six pulses per burst shows shortening rates increasing to a maximum (80 mm s-1) after 30 s and reducing to 5 mm s-1 after 150 s. The decrease in shortening amplitude is used as a fatigue index, log displacement against time. Power output is load dependent, measuring 4.7 W kg-1 with a 2.5 kg load. There is good agreement between the invasive and non-invasive measurements, thus providing a method for monitoring changes in muscle parameters non-invasively during future pacing transformation.