What functions do reflexes serve during human locomotion? - PubMed (original) (raw)
Review
What functions do reflexes serve during human locomotion?
E P Zehr et al. Prog Neurobiol. 1999 Jun.
Abstract
Studies on the reflex modulation of vertebrate locomotion have been conducted in many different laboratories and with many different preparations: for example, lamprey swimming, bird flight, quadrupedal walking in cats and bipedal walking in humans. Emerging concepts are that reflexes are task-, phase- and context-dependent. To function usefully in a behaviour such as locomotion wherein initial conditions change from step to step, reflexes would have to show modulation. Papers are reviewed in which the study of different reflexes have been conducted during different behaviours, with an emphasis on experiments in humans. A framework is developed in which the modulation and flexibility of reflexes are demonstrated. Alterations in cutaneous, and muscle (stretch and load receptor) reflexes between sitting, standing and walking are discussed. Studies in which both electrical, mechanical and 'natural' receptor activation have been conducted during walking are reviewed. Reflexes are shown to have important regulatory functions during human locomotion. A framework for discussion of reflex function throughout the step cycle is developed. The function of a given reflex pathway changes dynamically throughout the locomotor cycle. While all reflexes act in concert to a certain extent, generally cutaneous reflexes act to alter swing limb trajectory to avoid stumbling and falling. Stretch reflexes act to stabilize limb trajectory and assist force production during stance. Load receptor reflexes are shown to have an effect on both stance phase body weight support and step cycle timing. After neurotrauma or in disease, reflexes no longer function as during normal locomotion, but still have the potential to be clinically exploited in gait modification regimens.
Similar articles
- Nonlinear Modulation of Cutaneous Reflexes with Increasing Speed of Locomotion in Spinal Cats.
Hurteau MF, Thibaudier Y, Dambreville C, Chraibi A, Desrochers E, Telonio A, Frigon A. Hurteau MF, et al. J Neurosci. 2017 Apr 5;37(14):3896-3912. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3042-16.2017. Epub 2017 Mar 14. J Neurosci. 2017. PMID: 28292829 Free PMC article. - Sensory modulation of gait characteristics in human locomotion: A neuromusculoskeletal modeling study.
Di Russo A, Stanev D, Armand S, Ijspeert A. Di Russo A, et al. PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 May 19;17(5):e1008594. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008594. eCollection 2021 May. PLoS Comput Biol. 2021. PMID: 34010288 Free PMC article. - Intralimb and Interlimb Cutaneous Reflexes during Locomotion in the Intact Cat.
Hurteau MF, Thibaudier Y, Dambreville C, Danner SM, Rybak IA, Frigon A. Hurteau MF, et al. J Neurosci. 2018 Apr 25;38(17):4104-4122. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3288-17.2018. Epub 2018 Mar 21. J Neurosci. 2018. PMID: 29563181 Free PMC article. - Contributions to the understanding of gait control.
Simonsen EB. Simonsen EB. Dan Med J. 2014 Apr;61(4):B4823. Dan Med J. 2014. PMID: 24814597 Review. - Control of locomotion in the decerebrate cat.
Whelan PJ. Whelan PJ. Prog Neurobiol. 1996 Aug;49(5):481-515. doi: 10.1016/0301-0082(96)00028-7. Prog Neurobiol. 1996. PMID: 8895997 Review.
Cited by
- Automatic gait evoking in healthy adults through Vojta's peripheric somatosensory stimulation: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Perales-López L, Sanz-Esteban I, Jiménez-Antona C, Serrano JI, San-Martín-Gómez A, Vives-Gelabert X, Cano-de-la-Cuerda R. Perales-López L, et al. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2024 Oct 1;21(1):174. doi: 10.1186/s12984-024-01470-2. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2024. PMID: 39354570 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial. - The NewGait Rehabilitative Device Corrects Gait Deviations in Individuals With Foot Drop.
Ustinova KI, Langenderfer JE. Ustinova KI, et al. Rehabil Res Pract. 2024 Sep 11;2024:2751643. doi: 10.1155/2024/2751643. eCollection 2024. Rehabil Res Pract. 2024. PMID: 39296942 Free PMC article. - A comprehensive dataset on biomechanics and motor control during human walking with discrete mechanical perturbations.
Lorenz DL, van den Bogert AJ. Lorenz DL, et al. PeerJ. 2024 Apr 29;12:e17256. doi: 10.7717/peerj.17256. eCollection 2024. PeerJ. 2024. PMID: 38699182 Free PMC article. - Forelimb movements contribute to hindlimb cutaneous reflexes during locomotion in cats.
Harnie J, Al Arab R, Mari S, Yassine S, Eddaoui O, Jéhannin P, Audet J, Lecomte C, Iorio-Morin C, Prilutsky BI, Rybak IA, Frigon A. Harnie J, et al. J Neurophysiol. 2024 Jun 1;131(6):997-1013. doi: 10.1152/jn.00104.2024. Epub 2024 May 1. J Neurophysiol. 2024. PMID: 38691528 - Soleus H-reflex amplitude modulation during walking remains physiological during transspinal stimulation in humans.
Sayed Ahmad AM, Raphael M, Han JF, Ahmed Y, Moustafa M, Solomon SK, Skiadopoulos A, Knikou M. Sayed Ahmad AM, et al. Exp Brain Res. 2024 Jun;242(6):1267-1276. doi: 10.1007/s00221-024-06779-x. Epub 2024 Feb 16. Exp Brain Res. 2024. PMID: 38366214
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Miscellaneous