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Interlimb communication following unexpected changes in treadmill velocity during human walking
Andrew J T Stevenson1, Svend S Geertsen2, Thomas Sinkjær3
1Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers, Aalborg, Denmark;
Journal of Neurophysiology
|March 13, 2015
Summary
Interlimb reflexes in the contralateral biceps femoris (cBF) adapt to treadmill speed changes during walking. This reflex helps slow forward body motion, maintaining dynamic stability after perturbations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Interlimb reflexes are crucial for maintaining dynamic stability during human walking, especially when facing perturbations.
- Contralateral biceps femoris (cBF) reflexes have been observed following ipsilateral knee (iKnee) perturbations during gait.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of cBF reflexes in maintaining dynamic stability during walking.
- To examine the context dependency of cBF reflexes in response to combined iKnee perturbations and treadmill velocity changes.
Main Methods:
- 12 healthy volunteers walked on a treadmill with unexpected speed changes timed relative to iKnee perturbations.
- The cBF reflex amplitude was measured under conditions of isolated perturbations and combined perturbations.
Main Results:
- The cBF reflex amplitude was significantly modulated when treadmill velocity changes preceded iKnee perturbations.
- Unexpected treadmill velocity changes increased reflex incidence in other contralateral leg muscles.
- The cBF reflex response was context-dependent, adapting predictably to slow forward progression.
Conclusions:
- The contralateral biceps femoris reflex plays a functional role in maintaining dynamic stability during walking.
- Interlimb reflexes exhibit context dependency, adapting to environmental changes like altered treadmill velocity.
