Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method
The neurophysiology of dorsiflexor motor pools are highly studied, with previous work showing adaptations in corticospinal tract function, but little is known about the responsiveness of the reticulospinal tract (RST). Specifically, it is unknown if RST function can be measured indirectly in the tib...
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Advanced Exercise and Health Science |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950273X25000232 |
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| author | Oliver Hayman Elliott Atkinson Paul Ansdell Luca Angius Kevin Thomas Glyn Howatson Dawson J. Kidgell Jakob Škarabot Stuart Goodall |
| author_facet | Oliver Hayman Elliott Atkinson Paul Ansdell Luca Angius Kevin Thomas Glyn Howatson Dawson J. Kidgell Jakob Škarabot Stuart Goodall |
| author_sort | Oliver Hayman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The neurophysiology of dorsiflexor motor pools are highly studied, with previous work showing adaptations in corticospinal tract function, but little is known about the responsiveness of the reticulospinal tract (RST). Specifically, it is unknown if RST function can be measured indirectly in the tibialis anterior (TA). RST function was quantified using the StartReact protocol whereby dorsi flexor contractions were performed ‘as fast as possible’ in response to visual (VRT), visual auditory (VART; 80 dB), or visual-startling (VSRT; 110 dB) cues; with reaction time and the rate of torque development (RTD) calculated. We assessed the reproducibility of responses on two separate days separated by 3 weeks. Reaction times were faster during VSRT vs. VART during both visits (−7 ms; P < 0.001) confirming a StartReact effect. During the StartReact assessment, voluntary torque (F2,22 = 66.75, P < 0.001) and RTD over 50 (F2,22 = 22.02, P < 0.001) and 100 ms (F2,22 = 30.81, P < 0.001) increased in a stepwise manner (i.e., VSRT vs. VART vs. VRT). A good level of reliability was evident for assessment of reaction times (TE range 7–9%; ICC2,1 range 0.68 – 0.77), but measures of the VART−VSRT difference and RST Gain (TE, ≥23%; ICC2,1, ≤0.54), along with absolute and relative RTD (TE ≥19%; ICC2,1 ≤0.82) showed poorer levels of reliability. In conclusion, the StartReact method can be used to measure RST function in the TA, albeit the magnitude of this effect is small and aspects of between day reliability are poor. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-61527b59444e4fcc8382feb515eabd0c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2950-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
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| series | Advanced Exercise and Health Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-61527b59444e4fcc8382feb515eabd0c2025-08-20T02:37:52ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Advanced Exercise and Health Science2950-273X2025-06-012212913610.1016/j.aehs.2025.04.001Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact methodOliver Hayman0Elliott Atkinson1Paul Ansdell2Luca Angius3Kevin Thomas4Glyn Howatson5Dawson J. Kidgell6Jakob Škarabot7Stuart Goodall8Department of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Monash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaDepartment of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKDepartment of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKDepartment of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKDepartment of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKDepartment of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Water Research Group, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaMonash Exercise Neuroplasticity Research Unit, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaSchool of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UKDepartment of Sport, Exercise, & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Research Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Correspondence to: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.The neurophysiology of dorsiflexor motor pools are highly studied, with previous work showing adaptations in corticospinal tract function, but little is known about the responsiveness of the reticulospinal tract (RST). Specifically, it is unknown if RST function can be measured indirectly in the tibialis anterior (TA). RST function was quantified using the StartReact protocol whereby dorsi flexor contractions were performed ‘as fast as possible’ in response to visual (VRT), visual auditory (VART; 80 dB), or visual-startling (VSRT; 110 dB) cues; with reaction time and the rate of torque development (RTD) calculated. We assessed the reproducibility of responses on two separate days separated by 3 weeks. Reaction times were faster during VSRT vs. VART during both visits (−7 ms; P < 0.001) confirming a StartReact effect. During the StartReact assessment, voluntary torque (F2,22 = 66.75, P < 0.001) and RTD over 50 (F2,22 = 22.02, P < 0.001) and 100 ms (F2,22 = 30.81, P < 0.001) increased in a stepwise manner (i.e., VSRT vs. VART vs. VRT). A good level of reliability was evident for assessment of reaction times (TE range 7–9%; ICC2,1 range 0.68 – 0.77), but measures of the VART−VSRT difference and RST Gain (TE, ≥23%; ICC2,1, ≤0.54), along with absolute and relative RTD (TE ≥19%; ICC2,1 ≤0.82) showed poorer levels of reliability. In conclusion, the StartReact method can be used to measure RST function in the TA, albeit the magnitude of this effect is small and aspects of between day reliability are poor.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950273X25000232Descending tractsDorsi flexorsReaction timeStartle reflex |
| spellingShingle | Oliver Hayman Elliott Atkinson Paul Ansdell Luca Angius Kevin Thomas Glyn Howatson Dawson J. Kidgell Jakob Škarabot Stuart Goodall Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method Advanced Exercise and Health Science Descending tracts Dorsi flexors Reaction time Startle reflex |
| title | Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method |
| title_full | Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method |
| title_fullStr | Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method |
| title_short | Reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the StartReact method |
| title_sort | reticulospinal function can be measured in the tibialis anterior using the startreact method |
| topic | Descending tracts Dorsi flexors Reaction time Startle reflex |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950273X25000232 |
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