The first purpose of this study was to estimate physiological performance of skeletal muscle for circulatory assist. External work in the form of linear dynamic contraction was studied in canine latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM). The second purpose was to relate the effect of vascular delay of the LDM to the physiological performance. The left LDM with vascular delay (VD) were compared to the right control LDM (CTR) without vascular delay. Simultaneous dynamic contraction of both VD and CTR LDM were studied under various settings of the preloads and the afterloads. Maximal external work per single contraction were 136 +/- 38 mJ in VD and 81 +/- 21 mJ in CTR. Maximal total work, which includes external work and preload work, were 578 +/- 195 mJ in VD and 407 +/- 146 mJ in CTR. Maximal fractional shortenings of the LDMs were 22.8 +/- 4.7% in VD and 17.5 +/- 2.6% in CTR. The maximal external work of VD was 81% of canine LV stroke work and 620% of canine RV stroke work. The maximal total work of VD was 340% of canine LV stroke work. The fractional shortenings, external work and total work of VD were higher than those of CTR under all loading conditions. The physiologic performance of canine LDM was improved after vascular delay.