Abstract
The local exposure of cold has been used to decrease spasticity and facilitate neuromuscular function. This study analyzed the change in the excitation of the motor neuron pool, which was indicated by the amplitude of the H reflex measured in lower limb muscles when the skin temperature was lowered in different cooling area. The subjects were seven healthy males. A series of H and M wave were recorded via surface electromyogram electrodes before cooling and during cooling of the soleus muscle. The skin temperature was lowered in average from 33.1℃ to 22℃ subsequently. In all cases, the amplitude of the H wave increased in response to cooling. It was concluded that different exposure areas did not affect H reflex during localized muscular cooling.
