Afferent contributions to stretch-evoked myoelectric responses

1. Step torque perturbations were applied to flex or extend the wrists of normal human subjects who were instructed to restore the joint to its initial position as quickly as possible. The resulting electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, and extensor carpi radialis. Experiments were performed under control and three altered conditions of the limb: 1) ischemia, 2) vibration, and 3) local ulnar nerve anesthesia. The effects of the procedures on the EMG responses in four poststimulus intervals--the myotatic (30-60 ms), late myotatic (60-120 ms), postmyotatic (120-200 ms), and stabilizing (200-400 ms)--were studied. 2. Ischemia was induced in the forearm by means of a sphygmomanometer cuff inflated to 150 mm of mercury around the upper arm. After about 20 min of ischemia the stretch-evoked EMG activity over the 30-60-ms and 60-120-ms intervals were abolished, while the longer latency responses persisted. 3. Vibration at frequencies between 50 and 120 Hz was applied to the tendon of the stretched muscle. Vibration consistently reduced the EMG activity only in the 30-60-ms interval. 4. The ulnar nerve was blocked near the elbow joint by local anesthetic. Varying degrees of block were obtained, from a mild sensory impairment to a complete block. At intermediate degrees of block, EMG activity in the 30-60-ms and 60-120-ms intervals were attenuated with little alteration in later responses. 5. The data are used to differentiate functionally the myoelectric responses evoked in four poststimulus time segments in the stretched muscle by step torque perturbations.