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The Regulation of Limb Stiffness in the Context of Locomotor Tasks

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Progress in Motor Control

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 826))

Abstract

Locomotion on ramped surfaces requires modulation of both pattern-generating circuits and limb stiffness. To meet the mechanical demands of locomotion under these conditions, muscular activation patterns must correspond to the appropriate functions, whether the muscles are serving as force generators or brakes. Limb stiffness is a critical mechanical property that determines how the body interacts with the environment, and is regulated by both intrinsic and neural mechanisms. We have recently investigated how pattern generation, stiffness, and proprioceptive feedback are modulated in a task-specific way using the decerebrate cat preparation. Our results confirm previous research using intact animals that during level and upslope walking, hip and ankle extensors are recruited for propulsion during stance. During downslope walking, hip extensors are inhibited and hip flexors are recruited during stance to provide the needed braking action. Our new data further show that endpoint stiffness of the limb is correspondingly reduced for walking down a slope, and that the reduction in stiffness is likely due to an increase in inhibitory force feedback. Our results further suggest that a body orientation signal derived from vestibular and neck proprioceptive information is responsible for the required muscular activation patterns as well as a reduction in limb stiffness. This increased compliance is consistent with the function of the distal limb to cushion the impact during the braking action of the antigravity musculature.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The term “state” refers to a given organization of synaptic interactions and active neuronal pathways. For example, during locomotion, pathways mediating excitatory force feedback become active, altering the state of the spinal cord.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants NS20855 and HD32571.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Physiology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 555 14th Streeet NW, 30332-0356, Atlanta, GA, USA

    T. Richard Nichols & Christopher Tuthill

  2. Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA

    Jinger S. Gottschall

Authors
  1. T. Richard Nichols
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  2. Jinger S. Gottschall
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  3. Christopher Tuthill
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Correspondence to T. Richard Nichols .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Mindy F. Levin

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Nichols, T., Gottschall, J., Tuthill, C. (2014). The Regulation of Limb Stiffness in the Context of Locomotor Tasks. In: Levin, M. (eds) Progress in Motor Control. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 826. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1338-1_4

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