Autogenetic Reflex Action in Tibialis Anterior Compared with That in Soleus Muscle in the Decerebrate Cat

Overview

Journal Exp Brain Res

Specialty Neurology

Date 1985 Jan 1

PMID 4029298

Citations 4

Authors

T R Nichols

Affiliations

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Abstract

The regulatory actions of autogenetic reflex pathways on the mechanical properties of an ankle flexor (tibialis anterior) and an extensor (soleus) in the premammillary decerebrate cat were studied. The two muscle were isolated in the same cat and each was stretched during its separate activation. The yield in stiffness shown by areflexive muscles during stretch was largely compensated for in tibialis anterior as well as in soleus by reflex action. Resultant (total) stiffness varied by less than a factor of two over a wide range of contractile forces in the two muscles. Further, resultant stiffness increased as stretch amplitude decreased in both muscles, but the variation was less for TA. In most preparations, the resultant stiffness in soleus was significantly larger than the resultant stiffness of tibialis anterior. It is concluded that autogenetic reflexes govern the mechanical properties of both flexors and extensors. In addition, the extensor bias in the decerebrate preparation is due not only to greater activation in extensors but to a greater resultant stiffness as well.

Citing Articles

Resetting of resultant stiffness in ankle flexor and extensor muscles in the decerebrate cat.

Nichols T, Steeves J Exp Brain Res. 1986; 62(2):401-10.

PMID: 3709722 DOI: 10.1007/BF00238859.

Difference in the amplitude of the human soleus H reflex during walking and running.

Capaday C, Stein R J Physiol. 1987; 392:513-22.

PMID: 3446790 PMC: 1192318. DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1987.sp016794.

The effects of postsynaptic inhibition on the monosynaptic reflex of the cat at different levels of motoneuron pool activity.

Capaday C, Stein R Exp Brain Res. 1989; 77(3):577-84.

PMID: 2806448 DOI: 10.1007/BF00249610.

A mathematical analysis of the force-stiffness characteristics of muscles in control of a single joint system.

Shadmehr R, Arbib M Biol Cybern. 1992; 66(6):463-77.

PMID: 1586671 DOI: 10.1007/BF00204111.

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