Increased spinal reflex excitability is not associated with neural plasticity underlying the cross-education effect

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 5-wk unilateral, isometric strength-training program on plasticity in the spinal Hoffmann (H-) reflex in both the trained and untrained legs. Sixteen participants, 22-42 yr old, were assigned to either a control (n = 6) or an exercise group (n = 10). Both groups were tested for plantar flexion maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) and soleus H-reflex amplitude in both limbs, at the beginning and at the end of a 5-wk interval. Participants in the exercise group showed significantly increased MVIC in both legs after training (P < 0.05), whereas strength was unchanged in the control group for either leg. Subjects in the exercise group displayed increased (P < 0.05) H-reflex amplitudes on the ascending limb of the recruitment curve (at an equivalent M wave of 5% of the maximal M wave, H(A)) only in the trained leg. Maximal H-reflex and M-wave remained unchanged with training. Increased amplitude of H(A) in the trained limb concurrent with increased strength suggests that spinal mechanisms may underlie the changes in strength, possibly because of increased alpha-motoneuronal excitability or reduced presynaptic inhibition. Despite a similar increase in strength in the contralateral limb of the exercise group, H(A) amplitude was unchanged. We conclude that the cross-education effect of strength training may be due to supraspinal to a greater extent than spinal mechanisms.