Figure 2. Model Framework.

Half-sarcomeres were connected in series to form myofibrils. Myofibrils were arranged in parallel to form larger frameworks. Z-lines at the end of every second half-sarcomere were linked to the corresponding Z-lines in all of the other myofibrils by linear elastic links of stiffness k _im. Half-sarcomeres were represented mathematically as a population of cycling cross-bridges and an elastic element arranged in parallel. The smallest framework considered in this work contained a single half-sarcomere. The largest framework had 50 half-sarcomeres in each myofibril and 6 myofibrils.