Soleus H‐reflex operant conditioning changes the H‐reflex recruitment curve

INTRODUCTION: Operant conditioning can gradually change the human soleus H-reflex. The protocol conditions the reflex near M-wave threshold. In this study we examine its impact on the reflexes at other stimulus strengths. METHODS: H-reflex recruitment curves were obtained before and after a 24-session exposure to an up-conditioning (HRup) or a down-conditioning (HRdown) protocol and were compared. RESULTS: In both HRup and HRdown subjects, conditioning affected the entire H-reflex recruitment curve. In 5 of 6 HRup and 3 of 6 HRdown subjects, conditioning elevated (HRup) or depressed (HRdown), respectively, the entire curve. In the other HRup subject or the other 3 HRdown subjects, the curve was shifted to the left or to the right, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: H-reflex conditioning does not simply change the H-reflex to a stimulus of particular strength; it also changes the H-reflexes to stimuli of different strengths. Thus, it is likely to affect many actions in which this pathway participates.