Fig 8

Four representative stiffness plots.

Dorsal-to-ventral stiffness is reported for 4 representative animals in this plot. The control animal was never linked but was stiffness tested at periods equivalent to the linked rats. The 3 experimental group rats were all linked in the neutral configuration for 8 weeks and then unlinked for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. The 3 experimental animal plots show the general trend of marked linked stiffness (Linked), immediate residual stiffness (IRS) modestly increased above baseline, and additionally increased long-term residual stiffness (LRS).