**1.7 The possible influence of inhibitory pathways on the reflex responses**

Ib afferent nerve fibres from Golgi tendon organs are slightly smaller than those of Ia afferents [11]. The electrically evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential may be curtailed by the inhibitory postsynaptic potential of only slightly longer latency than the excitatory postsynaptic potential [7]. There is a Ib inhibitory volley from the Golgi tendon organs, which originate from the proximal tendon insertion of the anterior tibial muscle, elicited by the strong contraction of the muscle by stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve at the popliteal space. This inhibitory volley may reach the spinal cord and prevent the occurrence of the medium latency reflex response. The lack of medium latency reflex was pointed out in this muscle [8]. Unexpected perturbation during walking elicits short- and medium-latency soleus reflex responses [11]. However, soleus stretch, caused by electric stimulation of the common peroneal nerve and powerful contraction of the pretibial muscles, elicits only a medium-latency reflex response of the soleus muscle. It may be considered that the Ia reciprocal inhibitory influence [7] plays a role in inhibition of the soleus short-latency reflex response in this situation.
