H-reflex

This reflectory reaction was first described by Paul Hoffmann (hense H-reflex) in 1910. H-reflex is the reflex response 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.

See also

• Motor control
• Tendon reflex
• Achilles reflex
• Pupillary reflex
• Tonic vibration reflex

References

Hoffmann P. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der menschlichen Reflexe mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der elektrischen Erscheinungen. Arch Anat Physiol. 1910;1:223?246.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-reflex Wikipedia article H-reflex.