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H‐reflex modulation in the human medial and lateral gastrocnemii during standing and walking
Author(s) -
Makihara Yukiko,
Segal Richard L.,
Wolpaw Jonathan R.,
Thompson Aiko K.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.22265
Subject(s) - reflex , h reflex , soleus muscle , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , physics , medicine , skeletal muscle
The soleus H‐reflex is dynamically modulated during walking. However, modulation of the gastrocnemii H‐reflexes has not been studied systematically. Methods: The medial and lateral gastrocnemii (MG and LG) and soleus H‐reflexes were measured during standing and walking in humans. Results: Maximum H‐reflex amplitude was significantly smaller in MG (mean 1.1 mV) or LG (1.1 mV) than in soleus (3.3 mV). Despite these size differences, the reflex amplitudes of the three muscles were positively correlated. The MG and LG H‐reflexes were phase‐ and task‐dependently modulated in ways similar to the soleus H‐reflex. Conclusions: Although there are anatomical and physiological differences between the soleus and gastrocnemii muscles, the reflexes of the three muscles are similarly modulated during walking and between standing and walking. Our findings support the hypothesis that these reflexes are synergistically modulated during walking to facilitate ongoing movement. Muscle Nerve 45: 116–125, 2012