Changes in polysynaptic Ia excitation to quadriceps motoneurones during voluntary contraction in man

Abstract

Homonymous Ia facilitation of quadriceps (Q) motoneurones (MNs) was significantly larger during (and at the onset of) a very weak Q voluntary contraction than at rest. This increase in Ia facilitation only appeared with a conditioning-test interval within the narrow range of 5–9 ms, which fits the time course of the recently described polysynaptic Ia excitation to Q MNs. This suggests that interneurones mediating polysynaptic Ia excitatory effects to Q MNs receive a strong descending excitation during such a contraction. It is therefore argued that these interneurones might mediate part of the descending command to Q MNs during voluntary contraction.