Abstract
The reflex mechanisms controlling stepping in the cockroach and cat have been compared in an attempt to identify common functional reflexes in the control of terrestrial walking. The main question examined was: what initiates the transition from stance to swing in a single limb? In both animals it has been found that blocking leg extension during the stance phase inhibits the rhythmic movements of that leg but not the rhythm in the other legs. Allowing the blocked leg to extend slowly eventually leads to the initiation of swing. Two mechanisms could explain these observations: 1) the activity in receptors signalling the position of the limb at the transition point causes the switch from stance to swing, and 2) as the leg is extended the load carried by that leg is reduced and decreased activity in receptors detecting the load causes the initiation of swing. In the cat the hip angle at the end of stance remains constant in a variety of behavioural situations, indicating that the signal for swing initiation originates from hip position afferents (mechanism 1). For the cockroach it has been found that activity in cuticular stress receptors (campaniform sensilla) during stance inhibits the system responsible for producing swing. Thus swing is initiated when the inhibition of the swing generating system by load receptors is reduced (mechanism 2).
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Pearson, K.G., Duysens, J. (1976). Function of Segmental Reflexes in the Control of Stepping in Cockroaches and Cats. In: Herman, R.M., Grillner, S., Stein, P.S.G., Stuart, D.G. (eds) Neural Control of Locomotion. Advances in Behavioral Biology, vol 18. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0964-3_21
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