The effects of the applied stretch and MgADP binding on the structure of-the actomyosin cross-bridges in rabbit and/or frog skeletal muscle fibers in the rigor state have been investigated with improved resolution by x-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The results showed a remarkable structural similarity between cross-bridge states induced by stretch and MgADP binding. The intensities of the 14.4- and 7.2-nm meridional reflections increased by similar to 23 and 47%, respectively, when 1 mM MgADP was added to the rigor rabbit muscle fibers in the presence of ATP-depletion backup system and an inhibitor for muscle adenylate kinase or by similar to 33 and 17%, respectively when rigor frog muscle was stretched by similar to 4.5% of the initial muscle length. In addition, both MgADP binding and stretch induced a small but genuine intensity decrease in the region close to the meridian of the 5.9-nm layer line while retaining the intensity profile of its outer portion, No appreciable influence was observed in the intensities of the higher order meridional reflections of the,14.4-nm repeat and the other actin-based reflections as well as the equatorial reflections, indicating a lack of detachment of cross-bridges in both cases. The changes in the axial spacings of the actin-based and the 14.4-nm-based reflections were observed and associated with the tension change. These results indicate that stretch and ADP binding mediate similar structural changes, being in the correct direction to those expected for that the conformational changes are induced in the outer portion distant from the catalytic domain of attached cross-bridges. Modeling of conformational changes of the attached myosin head suggested a small but significant movement: (about 10-29 degrees) in the light chain-binding domain of the head toward the M-line of the sarcomere, Both chemical (ADP binding) and mechanical (stretch) intervensions can reverse the contractile cycle by causing a backward movement of this domain of attached myosin heads in the rigor state.