As more weight loads applied on the muscle, this would decrease the distance the muscle can contract. This is because contraction begins where sarcomeres are stretched to an optimal length, in terms of the optimal overlap between the thick and thin filament where force is generated (Moyes p.227). Applying a larger load causes the muscle to stretch beyond its optimal length, which result in increases the sarcomere distance. There is little overlapping between thick and thin filament and fewer cross-bridge formation generating greater tension on the muscle comparing to muscle at optimal length (Moyes p.227). This leads to a decline in force production and decreases the shortening of sarcomere. Since the muscle is highly strength, it takes more
