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Locomotor activity requires fine balance control that strongly depends on the afferent input from the load receptors. Following hindlimb unloading (HU), the kinematic and EMG activity of the hindlimbs is known to change significantly. However, the effects of HU on the integrative control mechanisms of posture and locomotion are not clear. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the center of mass (CoM) dynamic stabilization and associated adaptive changes in the trunk and hindlimb muscle activity during locomotion after 7 days of HU. The EMG signals from the muscles of the low lumbar trunk [m. longissimus dorsi (VERT)] and the hind limb [m. tibialis anterior (TA), m. semitendinosus (ST), m. soleus (SOL)] were recorded together with the hindquarter kinematics during locomotion on a treadmill in six rats before and after HU. The CoM lateral shift in the step cycle significantly increased after HU and coincided with the enhanced activity of the VERT. The mean EMG of the TA and the ST flexor activity increased significantly with reduction of their burst duration. These data demonstrate the disturbances of body balance after HU that can influence the basic parameters of locomotor activity. The load-dependent mechanisms resulted in compensatory adjustments of flexor activity toward a faster gait strategy, such as a trot or gallop, which presumably have supraspinal origin. The neuronal underpinnings of these integrative posture and locomotion mechanisms and their possible reorganization after HU are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number242138
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Experimental Biology
Volume224
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2021

    Scopus subject areas

  • Insect Science
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology

    Research areas

  • Evolution of the sensorimotor system, Hindlimb unloading, Load-dependent afferent input, Locomotion, Posture, Rat, Sensory feedback, Hindlimb, Gait, Rats, Animals, Electromyography, Muscle, Skeletal, HINDLIMB MUSCLES, WALKING, EPAXIAL MUSCLE FUNCTION, ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS, INTERLIMB COORDINATION, FUNCTIONAL-ROLE, MOTOR PATTERNS, ANKLE EXTENSOR MUSCLES, TREADMILL LOCOMOTION, CAT HINDLIMB

ID: 71926872