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Explain why muscles have an optimal length to generate maximal force during contraction

Explain why muscles have an optimal length to generate maximal force during contraction

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Answer #1

The muscle has a narrow range of optimal lengths over which tension does not vary with length and active force generation is maximal.

It is important that you realize that skeletal muscle in your body, when at resting length, is at its optimal length for development of force. Moreover, sarcomere length is reduced by only about 10% (to a little under 2 mm) by a maximal shortening of the muscle. So, even after the muscle has shortened maximally (determined and limited by the articulation of the joint) the muscle is still at its optimal length.Your perception that you can exert more force when your limbs are partly flexed reflects the mechanics (mechanical efficiency of levers) of the joint and not the power output of the muscle at different lengths.
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