This study investigated the effects of high-frequency initial pulses on the efficiency (=total work output/high-energy phosphate consumption) of rat fast skeletal muscle. In situ rat medial gastrocnemius muscles performed 15 repeated shortening contractions (2 s(−1); velocity 50 mm s(−1)) with occluded blood flow while activated with triplets of 400 Hz followed by 60 Hz trains (T400;60) or with constant-frequency trains of either 60 or 91 Hz. All stimulation patterns consisted of six pulses. After the last contraction, the muscles were quickly freeze-clamped and analysed for metabolite levels. The calculated efficiencies were 20.4+/−3.0 mJ micromol(−1)P (N=7), 19.4+/−1.8 mJ micromol(−1)P (N=8) and 19.6+/−2.5 mJ micromol(−1)P (N=7; means +/− s.d.) for T400;60, 60 and 91 Hz stimulation respectively (P>0.05). It is concluded that, although high-frequency initial pulses can enhance muscle performance, the efficiency of rat fast skeletal muscle did not differ from that for submaximal constant-frequency stimulation patterns.
Celebrating 100 years of discovery
We are proud to be celebrating 100 years of discovery in Journal of Experimental Biology. Visit our centenary webpage to find out more about how we are marking this historic milestone.
Craig Franklin launches our centenary celebrations
Editor-in-Chief Craig Franklin reflects on 100 years of JEB and looks forward to our centenary celebrations, including a supplementary special issue, a new early-career researcher interview series and the launch of our latest funding initiatives.
Looking back on the first issue of JEB
Journal of Experimental Biology launched in 1923 as The British Journal of Experimental Biology. As we celebrate our centenary, we look back at that first issue and the zoologists publishing their work in the new journal.
Biology Communication Workshop: Engaging the world in the excitement of research
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We are delighted to be sponsoring a Biology Communication Workshop for early-career researchers as part of JEB’s centenary celebrations. The workshop focuses on how to effectively communicate your science to other researchers and the public and takes place the day before the CSZ annual meeting, on 14 May 2023. Find out more and apply here.
Mexican fruit flies wave for distraction
Dinesh Rao and colleagues have discovered that Mexican fruit flies vanish in a blur in the eyes of predatory spiders when they wave their wings at the arachnids, buying the flies time to make their escape.
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