The H-reflex modulation in lying and standing position in young canoeists

Abstract

Study aim: to evaluate the differences in H-reflex parameters in lying and standing positions in canoeists. Material and methods: twenty seven male canoeists (age 17.2 ± 1.6 year, body mass 73.7 ± 7.6 kg, height 180.9 ± 6.1 cm, training experience 6.5 ± 3.6 years) participated in the study. None of the subjects had any history of neuromuscular disorders. The soleus H-reflex was examined in each subject twice: in lying and standing position. H-reflex was elicited by one-millisecond electrical stimulation of a posterior tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa. A recruitment curve for each subject was obtained by gradually increasing the stimulus intensity. Results: the results obtained in the present study showed statistically significant differences of the variables characterising effects of stimulations performed in lying and standing positions (F4,23 = 8.063; p < 0.001). H/M ratio was 0.50 ± 0.25 and 0.64 ± 0.27 for lying and standing positions, respectively. Our results support previous findings. Conclusions: the lying position is recommended for measurements as more comfortable for subjects and providing a greater level of the elicited H-reflex.