Muscle Fatigue and the Role of Transverse Tubules

Abstract

Skeletal muscle stimulation for 300 pulses, either as single twitches or as tetani, increases the amount of calcium extracted in a Ringer solution containing strontium. The strontium is used to prevent reuptake of calcium by the transverse tubules. The accumulation of calcium in the transverse tubules during stimulation may account for muscle fatigue.