Frequency response of human soleus muscle.

1. The properties of human soleus muscle were studied by systems analysis. Single stimulus pulses and random stimulus pulse trains were applied to a branch of the nerve to soleus muscle and the resultant tension fluctuations were recorded. 2. The frequency-response function between stimulus pulses and tension conforms to that of a second-order, low-pass filter. The parameters of the second-order system, low frequency gain, natural frequency, and damping ratio, varied systematically with the angle of the ankle. As the ankle was flexed (the length of the muscle was increased), the low frequency gain increased, the natural frequency decreased, and the damping ratio was unaffected or increased slightly. 3. These results are discussed in relation to the twitch responses of human soleus muscles and the responses previously observed in cat muscles.