[Control of recruitment of muscle motor units by optimization of energy expenditure]

In order to vary the force it is exerting a muscle calls upon a variable number of motor elements (spatial mobilisation) and modulates the contraction frequency of each of the fibers (temporal mobilisation). We have studied the frequency distribution as a function of the strength developed and of the elongation of the muscle, as well as the number of fibers recruited. Based on a double approach, experimental and mathematical, we propose a function controlling this two-fold muscular mobilisation: the optimisation of the energy expenditure. In other words, to develop a particular force, the number of fibers called upon and the contraction frequencies of each of them are such that the quantity of energy required by the muscle is a minimum. The study is limited to voluntary isometric muscular contraction. Using optimization techniques, numerical results corresponding to the model's simulation has been obtained by using a digital computer.