Effect of core cooling on short and long latency reflex responses

Subjects were immersed in 10 degrees C water until the rectal temperature dropped to 35 degrees C. Reflexes of wrist flexors were tested before and after cooling with tendon taps and torque motor produced perturbations. Comparison of pre- and post-cooling reflex responses showed that the longer latency reflex (LLR) was delayed in onset more than the short latency monosynaptic reflex (SLR) response. This implies that a portion of the LLR pathway is separate and distinct from the SLR pathway.