The activities of phosphorylase b kinase and phosphorylase a phosphatase were determined during the phases of KCl-induced contraction in porcine carotid artery. Phosphorylase b kinase exhibited a biphasic pattern with activity increasing 70% above basal levels during the early phase of active force generation (45 s into contraction) followed by a decline in activity during the phase of steady-state tension maintenance. Phosphorylase a phosphatase was stimulated simultaneously with phosphorylase b kinase, with activity increasing 100% over basal levels at 45 s into contraction, but remaining elevated at 30 min. Incubation of arteries in 0.5 mM palmitate resulted in a 30% increase in basal activity of phosphorylase b kinase and 117% augmentation of basal phosphatase activity, with no further increase in activity of either enzyme with contraction. The results indicate that both the kinase and phosphatase are subject to regulation during contractile activation of the muscle, possibly by similar but not identical mechanisms.