title: Assessment of H reflex sensitivity with M wave alternation consequent to fatiguing contractions.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the changes in H reflex sensitivity after neuromuscular fatigue associated with fluctuations of the M wave. In the maximal and submaximal voluntary contraction (MVC and SMVC) paradigms, subjects performed voluntary plantarflexion at 100% MVC and 40% MVC respectively until the limit of torque maintenance was reached. In the submaximal electrical stimulation (SMES) paradigm, the tricep surae was exhausted with sustained electrical stimulation of 40% of the maximal tolerable intensity at a 40-Hz stimulus rate. The H reflexes and maximal M waves (M(max)) of the soleus were recorded before and after the three fatigue paradigms, and the H reflex was standardized with M(max) to minimize possible bias due to fatigue-induced M wave fluctuation. The results showed a significant increase in the standardized H reflex due to the SMES paradigm in spite of M(max) potentiation. The SMVC paradigm led to a reduction in size of the standardized H reflex without modification of M(max), whereas the standardized H reflex was not mediated by the MVC paradigm, which contributed to a noticeable M(max) potentiation. The present study underscored the fact that the H reflex sensitivity and M wave amplitude were not necessarily suppressed consequent to neuromuscular fatigue, but varied with the activation history of a muscle for size-dependent efficacy of the Ia transmission pathways and postactivation potentiation.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ing-Shiou
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Cheng-Ya
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Pei-Shan
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yi-Ching
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Hou
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011999:Recruitment, Neurophysiological / Q000502:physiology