Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish a new experimental methodology on skeletal muscle contraction based on own scientific research, and develop it into the experimental course of physiology. The experiment was carried out on partly dissociating soleus of simulated weightlessness and normal rats, and electrical stimulation was used to induce soleus to contract. Additionally muscle mass, contraction force, contraction time course, and the activity of citrate synthase in soleus were compared. The presented results reveal that not only the relationship between the skeletal muscle contraction with electrical stimulation form, but also the disuse atrophy of skeletal muscle resulted from simulated weightlessness. The new experiment is easily verified, understood and executed. It can achieve the instructional objectives of conventional skeletal muscle contraction experiment. Furthermore, it provides a chance for university students to understand the basic concepts of human′s health in space and develop their learning interests.

Key words: physiology, experimental course, skeletal muscle contraction, new experiment