Neural coupling between the upper and lower limbs in humans.

Full Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the effects of active sinusoidal ipsilateral and contralateral upper limb flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction with elbows extended on the right soleus H-reflex with subjects seated and standing. Reflex effects were also established when both arms moved synchronously in a reciprocal pattern with elbows flexed in seated and standing subjects. Sinusoidal arm movements were timed to a metronome and performed at 0.2 Hz. Soleus H-reflexes were elicited only once (every 4s) in every movement cycle of the upper limbs. Position of arms, and activity of shoulder muscles were recorded through twin-axis goniometers and surface electromyography (EMG), respectively. We found that in seated subjects, regardless the direction of the active movement or the upper limb being moved, the soleus H-reflex was depressed. In standing subjects, a reflex depression was observed during extension, abduction, and adduction of the ipsilateral and contralateral upper limbs. Muscles were active during arm flexion and abduction in all directions of arm movement with subjects either seated or standing. It is suggested that arm movement might be incorporated in the rehabilitation training of people with a supraspinal or spinal cord lesion, since it can benefit motor recovery by decreasing spinal reflex excitability of the legs in these patients.

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Author information

Author/s: Knikou, Maria (M);

Affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Neuroscience, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA. knikou(-atsign-)mail.csi.cuny.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Apr; vol 416 (issue 2) : pp 138-43

Dates: Created 2007/03/26; Completed 2007/06/22;

PMID: 17331647, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Arm - physiology
Electromyography
Female
H-Reflex - physiology
Humans

Humans
Leg - physiology
Male
Motor Activity - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Psychomotor Performance - physiology

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