Final answer:
An actively contracting muscle can cause a local increase in temperature and the production of acidic molecules, which can affect the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve. This shift in the curve results in the release of more oxygen by hemoglobin.
Step-by-step explanation:
An actively contracting muscle can cause a local increase in temperature and the production of acidic molecules. These changes in temperature and pH can affect the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve and cause it to shift. Specifically, a rise in temperature and a decrease in pH will result in a shift of the curve to the right, leading to the release of more oxygen by hemoglobin.