Typical fiber length (A) and force (B) changes during laser-flash-induced fiber shortening against four different compliances of auxotonic load Cauxo. Length records a, b, c, and d correspond to force records a′, b′, c′, and d′, respectively. The value of Cauxo was 1.6 (records a–a′), 7.3 (records b–b′), 14.6 (records c–c′), and 33.3% L0/P0 (records d–d′), respectively. Normalized length and force changes relative to the maximum values attained are shown in C and D, respectively.