Mechanical stimulation of the soles support zones as a countermeasure of negative effects of motor unloading

Abstract

Phenomena that occur in response to a decrease in support afferentation, such as a reflex decrease in muscle tone, structural changes in the muscular periphery, and impaired coordination of movements, were observed both in microgravity and in ground-based models of its physiological effects, as well as in immobilized patients and the elderly. The discovery of the concept of the trigger role of support afferentation in the activity of postural-tonic muscle system led to the development of methods of the support stimulation as a countermeasure for the motor unloading negative consequences. This review aims to discuss the results of applying the method of mechanical stimulation of the soles support zones to mitigate negative consequences of the support and motor unloading in space and ground-based medical practice.