Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of long-term participation to swimming on adaptations of spinal reflex excitability. To this end, mechanically induced stretch reflex (SR) and electrically induced Hoffmann (H-) reflex of the soleus muscle were investigated between swimmers with experience of more than 10 years and non-trained individuals while sitting at rest. The amplitude and the gain (stretch velocity vs. amplitude of the reflex response) of the SR were significantly greater in the swimming group than in the non-trained control group. Similarly, the responses of the H-reflex were also significantly greater in the swimming group than in the non-trained control group. Results of this study demonstrated that the spinal reflex excitability in experienced swimmers was far more enhanced than in non-trained individuals.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aagaard P, Simonsen EB, Andersen JL, Magnusson P, Dyhre-Poulsen P (2002) Neural adaptation to resistance training: changes in evoked V-wave and H-reflex responses. J Appl Physiol 92(6):2309–2318
Capaday C, Stein RB (1987) Difference in the amplitude of the human soleus H reflex during walking and running. J Physiol 392:513–522
Casabona A, Polizzi MC, Perciavalle V (1990) Differences in H-reflex between athletes trained for explosive contractions and non-trained subjects. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 61(1–2):26–32. doi:10.1007/BF00236689
Del Balso C, Cafarelli E (2007) Adaptations in the activation of human skeletal muscle induced by short-term isometric resistance training. J Appl Physiol 103(1):402–411. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00477.2006
Funase K, Imanaka K, Nishihira Y (1994) Excitability of the soleus motoneuron pool revealed by the developmental slope of the H-reflex as reflex gain. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 34(8):477–489
Funase K, Higashi T, Yoshimura T, Imanaka K, Nishihira Y (1996) Evident difference in the excitability of the motoneuron pool between normal subjects and patients with spasticity assessed by a new method using H-reflex and M-response. Neurosci Lett 203(2):127–130. doi:10.1016/0304-3940(95)12284-2
Holtermann A, Roeleveld K, Engstrøm M, Sand T (2007) Enhanced H-reflex with resistance training is related to increased rate of force development. Eur J Appl Physiol 101(3):301–312. doi:10.1007/s00421-007-0503-y
Kawashima N, Sekiguchi H, Miyoshi T, Nakazawa K, Akai M (2003) Inhibition of the human soleus Hoffman reflex during standing without descending commands. Neurosci Lett 345(1):41–44. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00485-3
Kawashima N, Nakazawa K, Yamamoto S-I, Nozaki D, Akai M, Yano H (2004) Stretch reflex excitability of the anti-gravity ankle extensor muscle in elderly humans. Acta Physiol Scand 180(1):99–105. doi:10.1046/j.0001-6772.2003.01230.x
Koceja DM, Trimble MH, Earles DR (1993) Inhibition of the soleus H-reflex in standing man. Brain Res 629(1):155–158. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(93)90495-9
Kyröläinen H, Komi PV (1994) Stretch reflex responses following mechanical stimulation in power- and endurance-trained athletes. Int J Sports Med 15(6):290–294
Lin F-M, Sabbahi M (1998) The aging effects on the EMG and mechanical responses of the human wrist flexor stretch reflexes. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 38(6):323–331
Maffiuletti NA, Martin A, Babault N, Pensini M, Lucas B, Schieppati M (2001) Electrical and mechanical H-to-M ratio in power- and endurance-trained athletes. J Appl Physiol 90(1):3–9
Miyoshi T, Nozaki D, Sekiguchi H, Kimura T, Sato T, Komeda T et al (2003) Somatosensory graviception inhibits soleus H-reflex during erect posture in humans as revealed by parabolic flight experiment. Exp Brain Res 150(1):109–113
Morita H, Petersen N, Christensen LOD, Sinkjær T, Nielsen J (1998) Sensitivity of H-reflexes and stretch reflexes to presynaptic inhibition in humans. J Neurophysiol 80(2):610–620
Nakazawa K, Miyoshi T, Sekiguchi H, Nozaki D, Akai M, Yano H (2004) Effects of loading and unloading of lower limb joints on the soleus H-reflex in standing humans. Clin Neurophysiol 115(6):1296–1304. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2004.01.016
Nakazawa K, Kawashima N, Akai M (2006) Enhanced stretch reflex excitability of the soleus muscle in persons with incomplete rather than complete chronic spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehab 87(1):71–75
Nielsen J, Crone C, Hultborn H (1993) H-reflexes are smaller in dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet than in well-trained athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 66(2):116–121. doi:10.1007/BF01427051
Rochcongar P, Dassonville J, Le Bars R (1979) Modification of the Hoffmann reflex in function of athletic training. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 40(3):165–170. doi:10.1007/BF00426939 Modifications du Reflexe de Hoffmann en Fonction de l’Entrainement Chez le Sportif
Sekiguchi H, Nakazawa K, Akai M (2003) Recruitment gain of antagonistic motoneurons is higher during lengthening contraction than during shortening contraction in man. Neurosci Lett 342(1–2):69–72. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00241-6
Taube W, Kullmann N, Leukel C, Kurz O, Amtage F, Gollhofer A (2007) Differential reflex adaptations following sensorimotor and strength training in young elite athletes. Int J Sports Med 28(12):999–1005. doi:10.1055/s-2007-964996
Yamanaka K, Yamamoto S-I, Nakazawa K, Yano H, Suzuki Y, Fukunaga T (1999) The effects of long-term bed rest on H-reflex and motor evoked potential in the human soleus muscle during standing. Neurosci Lett 266(2):101–104. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(99)00284-0
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ogawa, T., Kim, G.H., Sekiguchi, H. et al. Enhanced stretch reflex excitability of the soleus muscle in experienced swimmers. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 199–205 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0890-8
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0890-8