Cocontraction and Reciprocal Innervation in Voluntary Movement in Man

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Abstract
The concept of reflex reciprocal innervation, based upon studies of spinal or anesthetized animals, is an oversimplification. Under voluntary control, there is a synchronous co-contractive relation in the antagonists, particularly when there is resistance to the movement. Further complexity is introduced by the fact that muscles acting across 2 joints may be antagonists or synergists, depending upon the action. Cocontraction is especially marked when the antagonist is stretched; the degree of joint-movement causing such stretching varies with each set of muscles, for instance, being caused by almost any movement at the ankle, but only by a 90[degree] flexion of the antebrachium. Electrical stimulation of antagonists to spastic muscles results in relaxation of the spastic muscle. The effects of such relaxation persist for variable periods, sometimes for days, but during this time technic of neuromuscular education can be employed.

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