Lateral Facilitation of Hoffmann-Reflexes Prior to Voluntary Movement in a Choice Reaction Time Task

Abstract

Hoffmann reflexes (H reflexes) were elicited from both legs simultaneously in human subjects at varying intervals after a reaction signal (RS) in a binary choice reaction time task. A left light RS required a rapid plantar flexion of the left foot and a right light RS required a similar rapid response of the right foot. A large facilitation of reflex amplitude occurred only in the muscle involved in the movement (right or left soleus). The timing of the facilitation indicated that a decision about the status of the RS occurred within 200 msec and probably was completed somewhat earlier. Furthermore, the facilitation of the H reflexes was shown to be closely linked with the organization required for the contraction of the responding muscle. The results are considered in the light of hypothesized mechanisms regulating voluntary movement.