Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Isometric and Eccentric Force Generation Assessment of Skeletal Muscles Isolated from Murine Models of Muscular Dystrophies
Published on: January 31, 2013
A phenomenological model of the time course of maximal voluntary isometric contraction force for optimization of
Johannes L Herold1, Christian Kirches2, Johannes P Schlöder3
1Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. johannes.herold@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de.
Purpose:
The time course of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force is of particular interest whenever force capacities are a limiting factor, e.g., during heavy manual work or resistance training (RT) sessions. The objective of this work was to develop a mathematical model of this time course that is suitable for optimization of complex loading schemes.
Materials And Methods:
We compiled a literature overview of existing models and justified the need for a new model. We then constructed a phenomenological ordinary differential equation model to describe the time course of MVIC force during voluntary isometric contractions and at rest. We validated the model with a comprehensive set of published data from the elbow flexors. For this, we estimated parameters from a subset of the available data and used those estimates to predict the remaining data. Afterwards, we illustrated the benefits of our model using the calibrated model to (1) analyze fatigue and recovery patterns observed in the literature (2) compute a work-rest schedule that minimizes fatigue (3) determine an isometric RT session that maximizes training volume.
Results:
We demonstrated that our model (1) is able to describe MVIC force under complex loading schemes (2) can be used to analyze fatigue and recovery patterns observed in the literature (3) can be used to optimize complex loading schemes.
Conclusions:
We developed a mathematical model of the time course of MVIC force that can be efficiently employed to optimize complex loading schemes. This enables an optimal use of MVIC force capacities.
Related Concept Videos
Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions occur when a muscle changes length while...
The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Contraction
Smooth Muscle Contraction
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
Intermolecular Forces

