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Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Procedures for Rat in situ Skeletal Muscle Contractile Properties
Published on: October 15, 2011
The stretch-shortening cycle effect: History-dependent muscle properties matter
Daniel Hahn1,2, Wolfgang Seiberl3, Tobias Siebert4,5
1Human Movement Science, Faculty of Sports Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Abstract:
The SSC effect - increased force, work, and power during shortening of stretch-shortening cycles compared with shortening alone - has long been attributed to stretch reflexes, preactivation, elastic recoil, and muscle-tendon unit decoupling. However, we hypothesize that contractile component mechanisms related to residual force enhancement can contribute substantially to the SSC effect. This article reviews current evidence for this history-dependent SSC-effect hypothesis. Summary: The contractile mechanism underlying residual force enhancement, especially titin, can substantially contribute to the stretch-shortening cycle effect.
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