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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
08:12

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Postural reflexes in man.

L Stejskal

    American Journal of Physical Medicine
    |February 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    The study found that head position does not influence resting spastic muscle activity, but body position does. Deep neck reflexes and visual perception significantly impact spastic muscle activity and motor patterns.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Physiology
    • Rehabilitation Medicine

    Background:

    • Spasticity is a common motor disorder characterized by increased muscle tone.
    • The influence of head position and reflexes on spastic muscle activity is not fully understood.
    • Understanding these influences is crucial for developing effective rehabilitation strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of head and body position on resting spastic muscle activity.
    • To examine the role of labyrinthine, deep neck, and asymmetric neck reflexes in spasticity.
    • To explore the influence of visual perception on motor patterns in spastic patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity in spastic patients.
    • Patients were positioned on a tilt table in various head and body orientations.
    • Active head flexion/extension and rotation maneuvers were performed.

    Main Results:

    • No correlation was found between head position and resting spastic muscle activity.
    • Prone position increased extensor muscle activity; supine position increased flexor muscle activity.
    • Dorsal head flexion increased extensor activity; ventral flexion increased flexor activity, suggesting irradiation.
    • Asymmetric neck reflexes did not influence trunk and arm deviation; visual perception and eye-centering were implicated.

    Conclusions:

    • Extralabyrinthine forces, such as tonic stretch and exteroceptive reflexes, significantly influence spastic muscle activity based on body position.
    • Deep neck reflexes, particularly through irradiation, can modulate spastic muscle activity.
    • Visual perception and the 'eyes-hand' motor principle are key in head turning and subsequent trunk/limb movements, overriding asymmetric neck reflexes.