Magnitude of the H reflex of the soleus substantially exceeds the myotatic response from rapid dorsiflexion of the ankle joint.
We compared the magnitude of short-latency EMG responses in the soleus after electrical stimulation and after muscle stretch. The peak to peak amplitudes and areas of such stretch-evoked responses, following initial rotation velocities to 200 degrees/s, did not extend beyond the lower part of the H reflex range (evoked electrically). The disparity suggests caution in the use of electrical stimulation of group 1 afferent fibers when a study is to be made of normal human movement.
D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006181:H-Reflex; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D011930:Reaction Time; D012023:Reflex, Monosynaptic