Contribution of M-Waves and H-Reflexes to Contractions Evoked by Tetanic Nerve Stimulation in Humans

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 1293-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr M. Klakowicz ◽  
Evan R. L. Baldwin ◽  
David F. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
Motor Threshold ◽  
Neuromuscular Stimulation ◽  
Spinal Neurons ◽  
M Wave ◽  
S 100 ◽  
Stimulating Electrodes ◽  
Burst Time

Tetanic neuromuscular stimulation evokes contractions by depolarizing motor axons beneath the stimulating electrodes. However, we have shown that extra torque can develop due to the discharge of spinal neurons recruited by the evoked sensory volley. The present experiments investigated whether extra torque in the ankle plantar- and dorsiflexors was associated with enhanced H-reflexes. The tibial and common peroneal nerves were stimulated using 7-s trains (20 Hz for 2 s, 100 Hz for 2 s, 20 Hz for 3 s). Extra torque was defined as significantly more torque during 20-Hz stimulation after the 100-Hz burst (time2) than before it (time1). In 9 of 11 subjects, extra plantarflexion torque developed during stimulation just above motor threshold. In these nine subjects, torque increased from 8 to 13% MVC (time1to time2), the soleus H-reflex increased from 13 to 19% Mmaxand the M-wave of ∼2% Mmaxdid not change significantly. To evoke extra dorsiflexion torque, greater stimulation intensities were required. In 6 of 13 subjects, extra torque developed at intensities that evoked an M-wave of 5–20% Mmaxat time1.In these six subjects, torque doubled from 2 to 4% MVC (time1to time2), whereas tibialis anterior (TA) H-reflexes and M-waves did not change significantly (H-reflex from 0.8 to 2% Mmax; M-wave from 12 to 14% Mmax). In 7 of 13 subjects, extra torque developed at higher stimulation intensities (35–65% Mmax). In these seven subjects, torque increased from 13 to 20% MVC, whereas TA H-reflexes and M-waves were not significantly different (H-reflex from 0.7 to 1% Mmax; M-wave from 49 to 54% Mmax). Thus enhanced H-reflexes contributed to extra plantarflexion, however, other factors generated extra dorsiflexion.

Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition in the Leg Muscles of Subjects Exhibiting Functional Ankle Instability

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1055-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. McVey ◽  
Riann M. Palmieri ◽  
Carrie L. Docherty ◽  
Steven M. Zinder ◽  
Christopher D. Ingersoll
Keyword(s):  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Ankle Instability ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
Functional Ankle Instability ◽  
Injured Limb ◽  
Lateral Ankle ◽  
M Wave ◽  
Muscle Inhibition ◽  
Lateral Ankle Ligaments ◽  
Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition

Background: Functional ankle instability or a subjective report of “giving way” at the ankle may be present in up to 40% of patients after a lateral ankle sprain. Damage to mechanoreceptors within the lateral ankle ligaments after injury is hypothesized to interrupt neurologic feedback mechanisms resulting in functional ankle instability. The altered input can lead to weakness of muscles surrounding a joint, or arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Arthrogenic muscle inhibition may be the underlying cause of functional ankle instability. Establishing the involvement of arthrogenic muscle inhibition in functional ankle instability is critical to understanding the underlying mechanisms or chronic ankle instability. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if arthrogenic muscle inhibition is present in the ankle joint musculature of patients exhibiting unilateral functional ankle instability. Methods: Twenty-nine subjects, 15 with unilateral functional ankle instability and 14 healthy control subjects, consented to participate. Bilateral soleus, peroneal, and tibialis anterior H-reflex and M-wave recruitment curves were obtained. Maximal H-reflex and maximal M-wave values were identified and the H:M ratios were calculated for data analysis. Separate 1 × 2 ANOVA were done for both the functional ankle instability and control groups to evaluate differences between limbs on the H:M ratios. Bonferroni multiple comparison procedures were used for post hoc comparisons ( p ≤ 0.05). Results: The soleus and peroneal H:M ratios for subjects with functional ankle instability were smaller in the injured limb when compared with the uninjured limb (p < 0.05). No limb difference was detected for the tibialis anterior H:M ratio in the functional ankle instability group ( p = 0.904). No side-to-side differences were detected for the H:M ratios in patients reporting no history of ankle injury ( p > 0.05). Conclusions: Depressed H:M ratios in the injured limb suggest that arthrogenic muscle inhibition is present in the ankle musculature of patients exhibiting functional ankle instability. Establishing and using therapeutic techniques to reverse arthrogenic muscle inhibition may reduce the incidence of functional ankle instability.

scholarly journals A Measure of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Efficacy Applicable to H-Reflex Studies

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.I. Boorman ◽  
J.A. Hoffer ◽  
K. Kallesoe ◽  
D. Viberg ◽  
C. Mah
Keyword(s):  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Soleus Muscle ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Wave Amplitude ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
General Validity ◽  
Current Output ◽  
M Wave ◽  
Group I ◽  
Muscle Nerve

AbstractBackground: When H-reflexes are recorded during movement in human subjects, the stimulator current output is not a good indicator of sensory stimulation efficacy because of unavoidable nerve movement relative to the stimulus electrodes. Therefore, the M-wave amplitude has been used by researchers as an indicator of the efficacy of the stimulus. In this study we have examined the general validity of the hypothesis that the M-wave amplitude is directly proportional to the group I sensory afferent volley evoked by the stimulus. Methods: A nerve recording cuff, stimulating electrodes, and EMG recording electrodes were implanted in cats. Nerve cuff recordings of centrally propagating volleys evoked by electrical stimuli were directly compared to M-waves produced by the same stimuli. Compound action potentials (CAPs) recorded in the sciatic nerve were compared with soleus M-waves during either tibial nerve or soleus muscle nerve stimulation. CAPs in the ulnar nerve were correlated with flexor carpi ulnaris M-waves during ulnar nerve stimulation. Results and Conclusions: Our findings indicate that for mixed nerve stimulation (e.g., tibial or ulnar nerve) the M-wave can be a reliable indicator of the centrally propagating sensory volley. Due to the high correlation between CAP and M-wave amplitude in these nerves, a small number of M-waves can give a good estimate of the size of the group I sensory volley. On the other hand, when nerves with only partially overlaping fibre diameter populations are stimulated (e.g., the soleus muscle nerve), the M-wave is not well correlated with the group I sensory volley and thus may not be used as a measure of the size of the input volley for H-reflex studies.

scholarly journals Acute Effects of Kinesiology Taping Stretch Tensions on Soleus and Gastrocnemius H-Reflex Modulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4411
Author(s):  
Yung-Sheng Chen ◽  
Shi Zhou ◽  
Zachary J. Crowley-McHattan ◽  
Pedro Bezerra ◽  
Wei-Chin Tseng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
H Reflex ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Reflex Modulation ◽  
Hoffmann Reflex ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
M Wave ◽  
Subject Design ◽  
Minor Influence ◽  
Order Paper

This study examined the acute effects of stretch tensions of kinesiology taping (KT) on the soleus (SOL), medial (MG), and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) modulation in physically active healthy adults. A cross-over within-subject design was used in this study. Twelve physically active collegiate students voluntarily participated in the study (age = 21.3 ± 1.2 years; height = 175.6 ± 7.1 cm; body weight = 69.9 ± 7.1 kg). A standard Y-shape of KT technique was applied to the calf muscles. The KT was controlled in three tension intensities in a randomised order: paper-off, 50%, and 100% of maximal stretch tension of the tape. The peak-to-peak amplitude of maximal M-wave (Mmax) and H-reflex (Hmax) responses in the SOL, MG, and LG muscles were assessed before taping (pre-taping), taping, and after taping (post-taping) phases in the lying prone position. The results demonstrated significantly larger LG Hmax responses in the pre-taping condition than those in the post-taping condition during paper-off KT (p = 0.002). Moreover, the ΔHmax/Mmax of pre- and post-taping in the SOL muscle was significantly larger during 50%KT tension than that of paper-off (p = 0.046). In conclusion, the stretch tension of KT contributes minor influence on the spinal motoneuron excitability in the triceps surae during rest.

Differences in soleus H-reflex to M-wave ratio between obese and non-obese individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 105322
Author(s):  
Nicola A. Maffiuletti ◽  
Rosa Visscher ◽  
Alessandra De Col ◽  
Alessandro Sartorio
Keyword(s):  
H Reflex ◽  
M Wave

Between-day reliability of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1066-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Vangsgaard ◽  
Ernst a. Hansen ◽  
Pascal Madeleine
Keyword(s):  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
M Wave

Impulse propagation and muscle activation in long maximal voluntary contractions

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1835-1842 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Thomas ◽  
J. J. Woods ◽  
B. Bigland-Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Mass Action ◽  
M Wave ◽  
Force Reduction ◽  
Small Decline ◽  
Voluntary Contractions ◽  
Do So

With fatigue, force generation may be limited by several factors, including impaired impulse transmission and/or reduced motor drive. In 5-min isometric maximal voluntary contraction, no decline was seen in the peak amplitude of the tibialis anterior compound muscle mass action potential (M wave) either during or immediately after the voluntary effort, provided maximal nerve stimulation was retained. For first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle, M wave amplitudes declined by 19.4 +/- 1.6% during the first 2 min but did not change significantly thereafter, despite the continued force reduction (up to 94% in 5 min for both muscles). The duration of the FDI M waves increased (greater than 30%), suggesting that the small decline in amplitude was the result of increased dispersion between the responses of different motor units. Some subjects kept FDI maximally activated throughout, but when they used tibialis anterior, twitch occlusion and tetanic muscle stimulation showed that most subjects were usually only able to do so for the first 60 s and thereafter only during brief “extra efforts.” Thus force loss during isometric voluntary contractions sustained at the highest intensities results mainly from failure of processes within the muscle fibers.

scholarly journals H-Reflex Modulation During Walking in Spastic Paretic Subjects

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.F. Yang ◽  
J. Fung ◽  
M. Edamura ◽  
R. Blunt ◽  
R.B. Stein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibialis Anterior ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Swing Phase ◽  
H Reflex ◽  
Reflex Modulation ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Step Cycle ◽  
Common Pattern ◽  
Slight Depression

ABSTRACT:Hoffmann (H) reflexes were elicited from the soleus muscle during treadmill walking in 21 spastic paretic patients. The soleus and tibialis anterior muscles were reciprocally activated during walking in most patients, much like that observed in healthy individuals. The pattern of H-reflex modulation varied considerably between patients, from being relatively normal in some patients to a complete absence of modulation in others. The most common pattern observed was a lack of H-reflex modulation through the stance phase and slight depression of the reflex in the swing phase, considerably less modulation than that of normal subjects under comparable walking conditions. The high reflex amplitudes during periods of the step cycle such as early stance seems to be related to the stretch-induced large electromyogram bursts in the soleus in some subjects. The abnormally active reflexes appear to contribute to the clonus encountered during walking in these patients. In three patients who were able to walk for extended periods, the effect of stimulus intensity was examined. Two of these patients showed a greater degree of reflex modulation at lower stimulus intensities, suggesting that the lack of modulation observed at higher stimulus intensities is a result of saturation of the reflex loop. In six other patients, however, no reflex modulation could be demonstrated even at very low stimulus intensities.

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