What effect would BMD have on the cross bridge cycle?

- Decreased rate of cross bridge cycling: Increased BMD can lead to increased muscle stiffness, which can slow down the rate of cross bridge cycling. This is because the increased stiffness of the muscle fibers makes it more difficult for the myosin head to detach from the actin filaments, prolonging the duration of the cross bridge cycle.

- Reduced force production: Increased BMD can also reduce the force production of the muscle. This is because the increased stiffness of the muscle fibers makes it more difficult for the myosin head to generate force, resulting in a decrease in the overall force output of the muscle.

Overall, increased BMD can have several negative effects on the cross bridge cycle, leading to decreased rate of cycling, reduced force production, and increased energy cost of contraction.