Modulation of heteronymous reflexes from ankle dorsiflexors to hamstring muscles during human walking

In 16 human subjects, stimulation of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) was applied during walking and standing. The effect of the stimulation was evaluated from the rectified and averaged biceps femoris (BF) electromyographic (EMG) activity. In the swing phase of walking, the CPN stimulation evoked a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental brain research 2002-02, Vol.142 (3), p.402-408
Main Authors: MARCHAND-PAUVERT, V, NIELSEN, J. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Afferent Pathways
Afferent Pathways - physiology
Animal biology
Biological and medical sciences
Central Nervous System
Central Nervous System - physiology
Electric Stimulation
Electromyography
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gait
Gait - physiology
Humans
Leg
Leg - innervation
Leg - physiology
Life Sciences
Motor control and motor pathways. Reflexes. Control centers of vegetative functions. Vestibular system and equilibration
Motor Neurons
Motor Neurons - physiology
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle Spindles
Muscle Spindles - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal
Muscle, Skeletal - innervation
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Neural Conduction
Neural Conduction - physiology
Neural Inhibition
Neural Inhibition - physiology
Peroneal Nerve
Peroneal Nerve - physiology
Posture
Posture - physiology
Reaction Time
Reaction Time - physiology
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
Veterinary medicine and animal Health
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Summary:In 16 human subjects, stimulation of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) was applied during walking and standing. The effect of the stimulation was evaluated from the rectified and averaged biceps femoris (BF) electromyographic (EMG) activity. In the swing phase of walking, the CPN stimulation evoked a suppression in the BF EMG in 12 of the subjects. In the early stance phase, the suppression was replaced by facilitation at a similar latency in 9 of the subjects. Of the other 3 subjects, in whom a suppression was observed during swing, a decrease in the suppression was observed in the stance phase in two of them. During a voluntary co-contraction of BF and tibialis anterior while standing, a suppression similar to that observed in the swing phase was observed. The thresholds of the suppression and facilitation were identical, suggesting that afferents of similar diameter were responsible. Cutaneous stimuli, which mimicked the sensation evoked by the CPN stimulation, but without activation of muscle afferents, did not produce similar effects in the BF EMG activity. It is suggested that the observed response and reflex reversal may reflect opening of an excitatory group I pathway in the early stance phase of walking with a concomitant shut-down of heteronymous group I inhibition.
ISSN:0014-4819
1432-1106
DOI:10.1007/s00221-001-0942-3