Corrective responses to perturbation applied during walking in humans

Abstract

Modulation of the flexor reflex response during walking in humans following stimulation at 5 points in the step cycle was studied. At heel strike, an extensor response was observed at the ankle and the knee which would allow one to stabilize and plant the ipsilateral foot fast. Later on in the stance, there was a dorsiflexor and an extensor response at the ankle and the knee, respectively, which would result in the removal of the foot from the stimulus without collapsing at the knee. During mid-swing, a flexor reflex response was observed at the ankle and the hip joint. There was a tendency for the normal stride to be longer than the perturbed stride in mid swing and early stance while it was of shorter duration in late stance and early swing.