Allometry of muscle, tendon, and elastic energy storage capacity in mammals

An analysis of hindlimb muscle-tendon units in 35 quadrupedal species reveals that the springlike tendons of large animals may store larger amounts of elastic strain energy in comparison with the tendons of smaller mammals. This may be necessary because of stronger muscles that are capable of causing greater tendon stresses. Elastic energy storage in tendons is correlated with increasing positive allometry but exhibits isometric nature in digital extensors.