Plastic changes in the human H-reflex pathway at rest following skillful cycling training.
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Plastic changes in the human H-reflex pathway at rest following skillful cycling training. / Mazzocchio, Riccardo; Kitago, Tomoko; Liuzzi, Gianpiero; Wolpaw, Jonathan R; Cohen, Leonardo G.
In: CLIN NEUROPHYSIOL, Vol. 117, No. 8, 8, 2006, p. 1682-1691.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Plastic changes in the human H-reflex pathway at rest following skillful cycling training.
AU - Mazzocchio, Riccardo
AU - Kitago, Tomoko
AU - Liuzzi, Gianpiero
AU - Wolpaw, Jonathan R
AU - Cohen, Leonardo G
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - OBJECTIVE: The spinal cord is capable of activity-dependent plasticity, but the extent of its participation in human motor learning is not known. Here, we tested the hypothesis that acquisition of a locomotor-related skill modulates the pathway of the H-reflex, a measure of spinal cord excitability that is susceptible to plastic changes. METHODS: Subjects were tested on their ability to establish a constant cycling speed on a recumbent bike despite frequent changes in pedal resistance. The coefficient of variation of speed (CV(speed)) measured their ability to acquire this skill (decreasing CV(speed) with training reflects performance improvements). Soleus H-reflexes were taken at rest before and after cycling. RESULTS: Ability to establish a target speed increased and H-reflex size decreased more after cycling training involving frequent changes in pedal resistance that required calibrated locomotor compensatory action than with training involving constant pedal resistances and lesser compensation. The degree of performance improvement correlated with the reduction in the amplitude of the H-reflex. CONCLUSIONS: Skillful establishment of a constant cycling speed despite changing pedal resistances is associated with persistent modulation of activity in spinal pathways. SIGNIFICANCE: Recalibration of activity in the H-reflex pathway may be part of the control strategy required for locomotor-related skill acquisition.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The spinal cord is capable of activity-dependent plasticity, but the extent of its participation in human motor learning is not known. Here, we tested the hypothesis that acquisition of a locomotor-related skill modulates the pathway of the H-reflex, a measure of spinal cord excitability that is susceptible to plastic changes. METHODS: Subjects were tested on their ability to establish a constant cycling speed on a recumbent bike despite frequent changes in pedal resistance. The coefficient of variation of speed (CV(speed)) measured their ability to acquire this skill (decreasing CV(speed) with training reflects performance improvements). Soleus H-reflexes were taken at rest before and after cycling. RESULTS: Ability to establish a target speed increased and H-reflex size decreased more after cycling training involving frequent changes in pedal resistance that required calibrated locomotor compensatory action than with training involving constant pedal resistances and lesser compensation. The degree of performance improvement correlated with the reduction in the amplitude of the H-reflex. CONCLUSIONS: Skillful establishment of a constant cycling speed despite changing pedal resistances is associated with persistent modulation of activity in spinal pathways. SIGNIFICANCE: Recalibration of activity in the H-reflex pathway may be part of the control strategy required for locomotor-related skill acquisition.
M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz
VL - 117
SP - 1682
EP - 1691
JO - CLIN NEUROPHYSIOL
JF - CLIN NEUROPHYSIOL
SN - 1388-2457
IS - 8
M1 - 8
ER -