Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of aging on stretch reflex modulation during walking, soleus H-reflexes obtained in 15 middle-aged (mean age 56.4±6.9 years) and 15 young (mean age 23.7±3.9 years) subjects were compared.
METHODS: The H-reflex amplitude, muscle activity (EMG) of the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles, and EMG/H-reflex gain were measured during 4-km/h treadmill walking.
RESULTS: The normalized H-reflex amplitude was lower in the swing phase for the middle-aged group, and there was no difference in muscle activity. EMG/H-reflex gain did not differ between groups.
CONCLUSIONS: H-reflex amplitude during walking was affected by aging, and changes during the swing phase could be seen in the middle-aged subjects. Subdividing the 2 age groups into groups of facilitated or suppressed swing-phase H-reflex revealed that the H-reflex amplitude modulation pattern in the group with facilitated swing-phase H-reflex may be influenced by aging.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Muscle & Nerve |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 419-25 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISSN | 0148-639X |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2015 |