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Are there Important Exceptions to the Size Principle of α-Motoneurone Recruitment?

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Alpha and Gamma Motor Systems

Abstract

The size principle states that motoneurones are recruited in a sequence that follows a size rule; small motoneurones are recruited before large ones. By extension, exceptions to the principle would be identified when that size order is reversed for motoneurones within a functional group. At first glance, and ignoring for the moment the exact meaning of motoneurone size, these notions appear unambiguous. Some uncertainty arises, however, as to the nature of the experimental observations that would be necessary and sufficient to demonstrate exceptions to the size principle. In addition, it is unclear whether any such exceptions should be regarded as important to our understanding of neuromotor operation or function.

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Cope, T.C., Clark, B.D. (1995). Are there Important Exceptions to the Size Principle of α-Motoneurone Recruitment?. In: Taylor, A., Gladden, M.H., Durbaba, R. (eds) Alpha and Gamma Motor Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1935-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1935-5_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5793-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-1935-5

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