Spinal Reflex Arc Excitability Corresponding to the Vastus Medialis Obliquus
and Vastus Medialis Longus Muscles |
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Authors: | Yoshitsugu Tanino Toshiaki Suzuki |
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Institution: | 1) Clinical Physical Therapy Laboratory, Kansai University of Health Sciences, Japan |
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Abstract: | Purpose] The gross morphology of the vastus medialis (VM) muscle has been thoroughly
described. However, there is insufficient evidence of physiological differentiation
between the VM obliquus (VMO) and VM longus (VML). To elucidate spinal reflex arc
excitability in two divisions of the VM, we compared H-reflexes and T-waves in VMO and
VML. Subjects] Twenty-three healthy male volunteers participated in this study. Methods]
The H-reflex was evoked from the VMO and VML by electrical stimulation of the femoral
nerve during knee extension at 10% maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Also, the
patellar tendon was tapped by an examiner using an electrical tendon hammer, and a
component of the compound muscle action potential (T-wave) was recorded. Results] The
configurations of the H-reflex and T-wave were sharp and slow in VMO and VML,
respectively. No significant differences in the amplitudes of the H-reflexes and T-waves
were observed between VMO and VML. The durations of VML H-reflexes and T-waves were
significantly longer than those in VMO. Conclusion] Spinal reflex arc excitability
corresponding to VMO and VML was similar. However, the configurations and durations of the
H-reflex and T-wave were differentiated with electromyography. On the basis of these
findings, we suggest that VMO and VML are electrophysiologically distinct entities.Key words: Vastus medialis, H-reflex, T-wave |
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