Biomaterial Database

Intersession reliability for H-reflex measurements arising from the soleus, peroneal, and tibialis anterior musculature. 2002

Riann M Palmieri, and Mark A Hoffman, and Christopher D Ingersoll

Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Research Laboratory, Department of Human Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA. athpalmi@isugw.indstate.edu

The Hoffman reflex (H-reflex) has been widely used throughout neuroscience research, as it allows for the assessment of alpha motoneuron excitability arising from a specific motoneuron pool. Recently, a protocol has been developed allowing for the simultaneous examination of the soleus, peroneal, and tibialis anterior motoneuron pools elicited from a single peripheral stimulus. In order for this protocol to be useful, the reliability of the measures must be established. The purpose of the current study was to determine the intersession reliability of the soleus, peroneal, and tibialis anterior H-reflexes and their corresponding M-waves elicited from a single stimulus to the sciatic nerve. Ten healthy neurologically sound individuals (age: 23 +/- 7 yrs; height: 175 +/- 12 cm; mass: 76 +/- 22 kg) volunteered to participate in this investigation. To obtain the measurements, the sciatic nerve was stimulated just prior to its bifurcation into the tibial and common peroneal nerves in the popliteal fossa. A 1-ms square wave pulse was delivered in 0.2 V increments until the maximum M wave was seen in each muscle. The maximum H-reflex and M-waves were collected from each muscle and their ratios calculated. Intersession reliability over 2 consecutive days was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [2.1]). Intersession reliability for the soleus Max H, Max M, and H:M ratio were 0.9953, 0.9514, and 0.9747, respectively. The peroneal reliability measurements were as follows: 0.9979 (Max H), 0.9924 (Max M), and 0.9664 (H:M ratio). Intersession reliability was 0.8591, 0.9968, and 0.7810 for the tibialis anterior Max H. Max M. and H:M ratio, respectively. These results indicate that the H-reflex measured from the soleus, peroneal, and tibialis anterior musculature elicited with a single peripheral stimulus to the sciatic nerve is reliable between sessions. This protocol allows the clinician/researcher to reliably investigate the alpha motoneuron excitability of multiple motoneuron pools about the ankle at a single point in time.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009046	Motor Neurons	Neurons which activate MUSCLE CELLS.	Neurons, Motor,Alpha Motorneurons,Motoneurons,Motor Neurons, Alpha,Neurons, Alpha Motor,Alpha Motor Neuron,Alpha Motor Neurons,Alpha Motorneuron,Motoneuron,Motor Neuron,Motor Neuron, Alpha,Motorneuron, Alpha,Motorneurons, Alpha,Neuron, Alpha Motor,Neuron, Motor
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D010543	Peroneal Nerve	The lateral of the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve. The peroneal (or fibular) nerve provides motor and sensory innervation to parts of the leg and foot.	Fibular Nerve,Fibular Nerves,Nerve, Fibular,Nerve, Peroneal,Nerves, Fibular,Nerves, Peroneal,Peroneal Nerves
D012016	Reference Values	The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality.	Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D004576	Electromyography	Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes.	Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D006181	H-Reflex	A monosynaptic reflex elicited by stimulating a nerve, particularly the tibial nerve, with an electric shock.	H Reflex,H-Reflexes,H Reflexes,Reflex, H
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults