A cold shortening effect in beef muscles

TLDR

Abstract

Abstract Isolated fresh beef muscles have been found to shorten more at 2° than at 37°. Minimum shortening occurs in the temperature region of 14–19°. At higher temperatures shortening coincides with the onset of rigor mortis but at low temperatures it begins rapidly and usually immediately. This shortening is reversible. Three different beef muscles show this effect but two rabbit muscles do not.