Applications of the H-reflex in kinesiology: a systematic review

Abstract

Study aim: discussion of applications of H-reflex in kinesiology. Material and methods: used keywords H-reflex, Hoffmann reflex, kinesiology, EMG, biomechanics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine to search EBSCO database. Used subsequent results to analyse clinical trials and to review articles. Results: in many studies, authors describe the role of examining H-reflex in biomechanics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. Conclusions: the H-reflex seems to be useful for examining progress in orthopaedic and physiotherapy treatment, as well as for analysing aspects of biomechanics. However, it seems that the H-reflex has limitations as a tool for examining training progress in strength athletes, and is not the most efficient in endurance athletes.