H-reflex
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
The H-reflex is a reflectory reaction of muscles after electrical stimulation of sensory fibers (Ia afferents stemming from muscle spindles) in their innervating nerves (for example, those located behind the knee).
H-reflex is analogous to the mechanically induced spinal stretch reflex (for example, knee jerk reflex) because both cases muscle-spindle innervating fibers are activated.
H-reflex is used to assess fitness of astronauts. H-reflex was the first medical experiment completed on the International Space Station.
History
It was first described by Paul Hoffmann (hence the name) in 1910. [1]
See also
External links
- H-Reflex at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
References
- ↑ Hoffmann P. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der menschlichen Reflexe mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der elektrischen Erscheinungen. Arch Anat Physiol. 1910;1:223–246.