Simulation of the force enhancement phenomenon in muscle

This paper demonstrates that the mathematical modeling of the mechanical force enhancement phenomenon in muscle can be achieved using the simple rheological model proposed by Houk [1]. The simulation of force enhancement for this model requires that the pre-stretch of the muscle be entered as an input function to the rheological model's equations. The results of the mathematical simulation suggest that the main characteristics of the force enhancement phenomenon could quite conceivably be explained in terms of a greater induced compliance of the series elastic component as a result of a stretch placed on the muscle by an external load.