H-reflex (Hoffmann Reflex)

Keyword(s):  
H Reflex ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Sheng Chen ◽  
Shi Zhou ◽  
Zachary J. Crowley-McHattan ◽  
Pedro Bezerra ◽  
Wei-Chin Tseng ◽  
...  

This study examined the acute effects of stretch tensions of kinesiology taping (KT) on the soleus (SOL), medial (MG), and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) modulation in physically active healthy adults. A cross-over within-subject design was used in this study. Twelve physically active collegiate students voluntarily participated in the study (age = 21.3 ± 1.2 years; height = 175.6 ± 7.1 cm; body weight = 69.9 ± 7.1 kg). A standard Y-shape of KT technique was applied to the calf muscles. The KT was controlled in three tension intensities in a randomised order: paper-off, 50%, and 100% of maximal stretch tension of the tape. The peak-to-peak amplitude of maximal M-wave (Mmax) and H-reflex (Hmax) responses in the SOL, MG, and LG muscles were assessed before taping (pre-taping), taping, and after taping (post-taping) phases in the lying prone position. The results demonstrated significantly larger LG Hmax responses in the pre-taping condition than those in the post-taping condition during paper-off KT (p = 0.002). Moreover, the ΔHmax/Mmax of pre- and post-taping in the SOL muscle was significantly larger during 50%KT tension than that of paper-off (p = 0.046). In conclusion, the stretch tension of KT contributes minor influence on the spinal motoneuron excitability in the triceps surae during rest.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Hamad S. Al Amer ◽  
Mohamed A. Sabbahi ◽  
Sharon L. Olson

The Soleus (SOL) Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) is commonly recorded in sitting position. However, the reliability of recording is unknown. We assessed the reliability of SOL H-reflex amplitude measurements across multiple traces and sessions during erect, slumped, and slouched sitting postures using the generalizability theory. Five traces of the SOL H-reflex maximum amplitude (Hmax) were recorded from 10 healthy participants during erect, slumped, and slouched sitting postures in two sessions. A decision study analysis was then conducted to calculate the reliability coefficients of the Hmax for five traces and two sessions and to mathematically calculate the coefficients for seven and ten traces, and one and three sessions in the three sitting postures. For five traces and two sessions, the results showed reliability coefficients between 0.970 and 0.971, 0.980 and 0.979, and equal to 0.943 for erect, slumped, and slouched sitting, respectively. Averaging five traces of the Hmax in a single recording session was sufficient to obtain acceptable reliability in the three sitting postures (reliability range, 0.892–0.988). It was concluded that the SOL Hmax can be recorded during erect, slumped, and slouched sitting postures with adequate reliability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gajos ◽  
Sławomir Kujawski ◽  
Małgorzata Gajos ◽  
Żaneta Chatys ◽  
Piotr Bogacki

Summary Study aim: discussion of applications of H-reflex in kinesiology. Material and methods: used keywords H-reflex, Hoffmann reflex, kinesiology, EMG, biomechanics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine to search EBSCO database. Used subsequent results to analyse clinical trials and to review articles. Results: in many studies, authors describe the role of examining H-reflex in biomechanics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. Conclusions: the H-reflex seems to be useful for examining progress in orthopaedic and physiotherapy treatment, as well as for analysing aspects of biomechanics. However, it seems that the H-reflex has limitations as a tool for examining training progress in strength athletes, and is not the most efficient in endurance athletes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
Lin Liu ◽  
Qiang-Min Huang ◽  
Qing-Guang Liu ◽  
Thi-Tham Nguyen ◽  
Jian-Qin Yan ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine how muscle spindles are involved in the pathophysiology of chronic myofascial trigger spots (MTrSs, similar to myofascial trigger points) in a rat injury model according to the characteristics of the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) and the anatomical relationship between muscle spindles and MTrSs. Methods: 16 male Sprague-Dawley rats (7 weeks old) were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. A blunt strike injury and eccentric exercise were applied to the gastrocnemius muscle of rats in the experimental group once a week for 8 weeks as a MTrS modelling intervention. Subsequently, the rats were reared normally and rested for 4 weeks. At the end of the 12th week, the rats were examined for the presence of MTrSs defined by the detection of a palpable taut band exhibiting both a local twitch response and spontaneous electrical activity. After modelling, evocation of the H-reflex and morphological examination of muscle spindles and MTrSs were conducted. Results: The threshold (0.35±0.04 mA) of the H-reflex and latency (1.24±0.18 ms) of the M wave recorded at MTrSs were not significantly different to those at non-MTrSs (P>0.05). Compared with non-MTrSs, a lower Mmax (4.28±1.27 mV), higher Hmax (median (IQR) 0.95 (0.80–1.08) mV) and Hmax/Mmax (median (IQR) 0.21 (0.16–0.40)), and shorter H wave latency (4.60±0.89 ms) were recorded at MTrSs (P<0.05). Morphologically, there was a close anatomical relationship between the MTrS cells and the muscle spindles. Discussion: Compared with normal muscles, the H-reflex myoelectrical activity was enhanced and some muscle spindles might have been influenced by active MTrSs. Thus, muscle spindles may play an important role in the pathological mechanism underlying myofascial trigger points.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Wenting Qin ◽  
Anjing Zhang ◽  
Mingzhen Yang ◽  
Chan Chen ◽  
Lijun Zhen ◽  
...  

Purpose. This study is aimed at exploring how soleus H-reflex change in poststroke patients with spasticity influenced by body position. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia and twelve age-matched healthy controls were investigated. Maximal Hoffmann-reflex (Hmax) and motor potential (Mmax) were elicited at the popliteal fossa in both prone and standing positions, respectively, and the Hmax/Mmax ratio at each body position was determined. Compare changes in reflex behavior in both spastic and contralateral muscles of stroke survivors in prone and standing positions, and match healthy subjects in the same position. Results. In healthy subjects, Hmax and Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly decreased in the standing position compared to the prone position (Hmax: p = 0.000 , Hmax/Mmax: p = 0.016 ). However, Hmax/Mmax ratios were increased in standing position on both sides in poststroke patients with spasticity (unaffected side: p = 0.006 , affected side: p = 0.095 ). The Hmax and Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly more increased on the affected side than unaffected side irrespective of the position. Conclusions. The motor neuron excitability of both sides was not suppressed but instead upregulated in the standing position in subjects with spasticity, which may suggest that there was abnormal regulation of the Ia pathway on both sides.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 637-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Min Kim ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Susan A. Saliba ◽  
Jay Hertel

Context: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) present with decreased modulation of the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) from a simple to a more challenging task. The neural alteration is associated with impaired postural control, but the relationship has not been investigated in individuals with CAI. Objective: To determine differences in H-reflex modulation and postural control between individuals with or without CAI and to identify if they are correlated in individuals with CAI. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 15 volunteers with CAI (9 males, 6 females; age = 22.6 ± 5.8 years, height = 174.7 ± 8.1 cm, mass = 74.9 ± 12.8 kg) and 15 healthy sex-matched volunteers serving as controls (9 males, 6 females; age = 23.8 ± 5.8 years, height = 171.9 ± 9.9 cm, mass = 68.9 ± 15.5 kg) participated. Intervention(s): Maximum H-reflex (Hmax) and motor wave (Mmax) from the soleus and fibularis longus were recorded while participants lay prone and then stood in unipedal stance. We assessed postural tasks of unipedal stance with participants' eyes closed for 10 seconds using a forceplate. Main Outcome Measure(s): We normalized Hmax to Mmax to obtain Hmax : Mmax ratios for the 2 positions. For each muscle, H-reflex modulation was quantified using the percentage change scores in Hmax : Mmax ratios calculated from prone position to unipedal stance. Center-of-pressure data were used to compute 4 time-to-boundary variables. Separate independent-samples t tests were performed to determine group differences. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were calculated between the modulation and balance measures in the CAI group. Results: The CAI group presented less H-reflex modulation in the soleus (t26 = −3.77, P = .001) and fibularis longus (t25 = −2.59, P = .02). The mean of the time-to-boundary minima in the anteroposterior direction was lower in the CAI group (t28 = −2.06, P = .048). We observed a correlation (r = 0.578, P = .049) between the fibular longus modulation and mean of time-to-boundary minima in the anteroposterior direction. Conclusions: The strong relationship indicated that, as H-reflex amplitude in unipedal stance was less down modulated, unipedal postural control was more impaired. Given the deficits in H-reflex modulation and postural control in the CAI group, the relationship may provide insights into the neurophysiologic mechanism of postural instability.


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