Inhibition of neighboring motoneurons in conscious control of single spinal motoneurons

Abstract

Multiple fine-wire electrodes were implanted in the biceps brachii of five subjects, and artificial electronic feedback was provided to subjects from only one electrode. By this technique, it was shown that neighboring units progressively stop firing as subjects concentrate on activating an isolated unit. The inhibition of neighboring spinal motoneurons in the same pool further indicates that selective inhibition is an automatic part of single motor-unit training.