Limb segment load inhibits post activation depression of soleus H-reflex in humans

This study looked at how limb load impacts spinal reflexes, specifically the H-reflex of the soleus muscle, in healthy individuals and one person with a spinal cord injury. Researchers applied different levels of compressive load to the lower leg and measured the H-reflex response. The main finding was that limb load decreases post-activation depression, a process that normally inhibits reflexes after repeated stimulation.

• 1
  Limb segment load decreases post-activation depression of the soleus H-reflex in healthy adults.
• 2
  The decrease in post-activation depression is related to the magnitude of the applied load (higher load, greater decrease).
• 3
  In the individual with chronic SCI, the response to limb load was different, suggesting spinal cord reorganization affects how these reflexes are modulated.