Muscle spindle feedback differs between the soleus and gastrocnemius in humans
Somatosensory and Motor Research, vol.21, no.3-4, pp.189-197, 2004 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 21 Issue: 3-4
- Publication Date: 2004
- Doi Number: 10.1080/08990220400012489
- Journal Name: Somatosensory and Motor Research
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.189-197
- Keywords: H reflex, M response, distribution, voluntary contraction
- Istanbul Gelisim University Affiliated: No
Abstract
The Hoffmann (H) reflex and motor (M) response were studied in soleus and gastrocnemius during voluntary contraction in eight male volunteers. Aims: To determine if the strength of spindle input to the muscles is the same. To assess if the M response size changes during contraction. Results: The size of the maximum M response (M max) changed during contraction in each subject. Hence, all H reflex measurements were normalized to the M max at each level of contraction for each subject. The largest H/M max was bigger in soleus than gastrocnemius at every contraction level. The overall largest H/M max for soleus (97%) and gastrocnemius (55%) were achieved at 40 and 100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), respectively. Conclusion: Soleus receives greater spindle feedback than the gastrocnemius both at rest and during voluntary contraction.