The influence of muscle oxidative capacity on phosphocreatine (PCr) changes during and after stimulation was examined in the superficial (fast-twitch) section of rat gastrocnemius muscles. Muscle mitochondrial enzymes were increased in one group of rats by 8-10 wk of training on a running wheel (to a final regimen of 50 min/day at 38 m/min, 5 days/wk) and decreased in another group by chemical thyroidectomy [0.025% methimazole (MMI) in drinking water for 8 wk]. After these treatments, muscle citrate synthase activity was 179 and 29%, respectively, of that in corresponding control groups. Muscle PCr and pH were measured by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy before, during, and after 8 min of isometric twitch stimulation at 0.33 Hz (MMI) or 0.75 Hz (trained) and 2 Hz. There was a significant linear correlation (r = 0.84, P < 0.01) between the rate constant for PCr recovery after submaximal stimulation (0.33 or 0.75 Hz) and citrate synthase activity. Within the control groups, there was a significant correlation (r = 0.72, P < 0.01) between the rate constant for PCr recovery and intracellular pH at the end of stimulation. The results are quantitatively consistent with linear/quasilinear models of respiratory control by the cytoplasmic free energy of ATP hydrolysis but not with respiratory control by cytoplasmic ADP.