A key component in lateral force transmission in skeletal muscle is the extracellular matrix (ECM). Skeletal muscle is a complex biological material that is composed of muscle fibers and an ECM consisting of the epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium. It can be described as a collagenfiber-reinforced composite. The ECM has at least three functions: (1) to provide a framework binding muscle fibers together and ensure their proper alignment, (2) to transmit the forces, either from active muscle contraction or ones passively imposed on it, and (3) providing lubricated surfaces between muscle fibers and bundles enabling the muscle to change shape.[1] The mechanical properties of skeletal muscle depend on both the properties of muscle fibers and the ECM, and the interaction between the two. Contractile forces are transmitted laterally within intramuscular connective tissue to the epimysium and then to the tendon. Due to the nature of skeletal muscle, direct measurements are not possible, but many indirect studies and analyses have shown that the ECM is an important part of force transmission during muscle contraction.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
^Rowe, R.W.D. (1981). Morphology of perimysial and endomysial connective tissue in skeletal muscle, Tissue Cell, 13, 681-690.
^Bloch, R.J., Gonzalez-Serratos, H. (2003). Lateral force transmission across costameres in skeletal muscle, Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 31 (2), 73-78.
^Trotter, J.A., 1993. Functional morphology of force transmission in skeletal muscle, Acta Anat., 146, 205–222.
^Purslow, P.P., Trotter, J.A. (1994). The morphology and mechanical properties of endomysium in series-fibred muscles; variations with muscle length, J Muscle Res Cell Motil 15, 299–304.
^Huijing, P.A. (1999). Muscle as a collagen fiber reinforced composite: a review of force transmission in muscle and whole limb, J Biomech, 32, 329–345.
^Jaspers, R.T., Brunner, R., Pel, J.M.M., Huijing, P.A. (1999). Acute effects of intramuscular aponeurotomy on rat gastrocnemius medialis: force transmission, muscle force and sarcomeres length, J Biomech, 32, 71–79.
^Monti, R.J., Roy, R.R., Hodgson, J.A., Edgerton, V.R. (1999). Transmission of forces within mammalian skeletal muscles, J Biomech, 32, 371–380.
^Maas, H., Baan, G.C., Huijing, P.A. (2001). Intermuscular interaction via myofascial force transmission: effects of tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus length on force transmission from rat extensor digitorum longus muscle, J Biomech, 34, 927–940.