| Abstract: | In healthy human the excitability of spinal alpha-motoneurons under application of vibrostimulation (20-60 Hz) to different leg muscles was investigated both in stationary condition and during stepping movements caused by vibration in the condition of suspended leg. In 15 subjects the amplitude of H-reflex were compared under vibration of rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles of left leg as well during vibration of rectus femoris of contralateral, motionless leg in three spatial positions: upright, supine and on right side of body with suspended left leg. In dynamic conditions the amount of H-reflex was compared during evoked and voluntary stepping at 8 intervals of step cycle. In all body positions the vibration of each ipsilateral leg muscles caused significant suppression of H-reflex, this suppression was more prominent in the air-stepping conditions. The vibration of contralateral leg RF muscle had a weak influence on the amplitude of H-reflex. In 7 subjects the muscle vibration of ipsilateral and contralateral legs generated stepping movements. During evoked "air-stepping" H-reflex had different amplitudes in different phases of step cycle. At the same time the differences between responses under voluntary and non-voluntary stepping were revealed only in stance phase. Thus, different degree of H-reflex suppression by vibration under different body position in space depends on, it seems to be, from summary afferent inflows to spinal cord interneurons, which participate in regulation of posture and locomotion. Seemingly, the increasing of spinal cord neurons excitability occurs under involuntary air-stepping in swing phase, which is necessary for activation of locomotor automatism under unloading leg conditions. |
