JUI-SHENG SUNTsuang Y.-H.Liu T.-K.Hang Y.-S.Cheng C.-K.2020-02-072020-02-0719940268-0033https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0028500075&doi=10.1016%2f0268-0033%2894%2990044-2&partnerID=40&md5=0430060487fb2146eef87edd2c87ef32https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/455463The triceps surae muscle-tendon unit of rabbit was tested by a passive extension technique. The effects of different stretch rates were evaluated. Functioning as a composite muscle-tendon unit, the triceps surae responded viscoelastically to the tensile loads. The sites of failure were consistent at the muscular portion near the musculotendinous junction. Failure occurred within 0.1-1.0 mm of the distal musculotendinous junction for the soleus muscle and within 5-10 mm proximal to the distal musculotendinous junction in the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle. In the medial head of gastrocnemius muscle failure occurred within 15-30 mm proximal to the distal musculotendinous junction. There was a greater peak tensile force requirement and a greater energy absorption when tested with faster stretch rates. These results furnish evidence that the biomechanical property of composite musculotendinous unit is strain-rate dependent and behaves viscoelastically. © 1994.[SDGs]SDG7Biomechanics; Energy absorption; Failure (mechanical); Loads (forces); Strain; Tendons; Viscoelasticity; Muscletendon unit; Passive extension; Pathophysiology; Rabbits; Tensile forces; Muscle; animal experiment; article; biomechanics; controlled study; energy consumption; force; gastrocnemius muscle; muscle stretching; nonhuman; priority journal; rabbit; soleus muscle; tendon; tensile strength; triceps surae muscle; viscoelasticityjournal article10.1016/0268-0033(94)90044-22-s2.0-0028500075